BOSTON — Edwin Rodriguez is hoping to further cement his status as one of the top light heavyweight fighters in the world when he takes on undefeated Craig Baker on Saturday at Agganis Arena.
The bout will follow the main event, Andre Dirrell vs. James DeGale, and features two of the best boxers in the division.
“I’m excited,” Rodriguez said Thursday during a press conference at Fenway Park. “Fighting in Boston, home, I’m from Worcester, Massachusetts. So, this is home for me. Baker came up here, he’s a very good fighter, he’s undefeated. So, I’m looking forward to a great matchup and putting on a great fight for the fans.”
Rodriguez’s only loss was to one of the world’s best fighters in Andre Ward back in Nov. of 2013. He’s 2-0 since that loss, and his last fight ended with a victory over Derrick Findley in December by referee technical decision.
This will be one of Rodriguez’s toughest bouts, and he understands the challenge in front of him against an opponent who might not be too far away from a shot at a world title.
“He’s a hungry fighter and it doesn’t matter who he’s fought,” Rodriguez said Wednesday in a conference call. “He’s undefeated and you can’t take an undefeated fighter lightly, especially one that defeated a guy that had over 400 amateur fights and was a big prospect in the pros, like (Umberto) Savigne. You can’t take a guy like Craig Baker lightly.”
Baker, who defeated Umberto Savigne by TKO in an impressive performance in February, didn’t have much to say Thursday, but he’s expecting an exciting bout between two boxers with a lot to prove in front of a national television audience.
“Look forward to seeing an action-packed fight,” Baker said. “Mr. Edwin is pretty good. He’s been around the world a couple of times, you know what I mean. It should be an interesting matchup.”
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@premierboxing
