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RODRIGUEZ PREPARED FOR FAULK SHOWDOWN
8.13.12
By Jesse Kelley

 

UPDATE: Reports coming in that Michael Faulk will no longer be fighting due to an eye problem. More to come.

Corey Rodiguez (5-2-2) and Michael Faulk (2-2) are set to face off on August 25th at downtown Saint Paul's Crowne Plazain a jr. middleweight showdown. Both guys are well known throughout Minnesota for the years of work each has put in the ring and bragging rights as well as position among the rest of the 154 pounders in the state will be on the line. Rodriguez last saw action in November of 2011 in Chicago and discussed that bout in detail as well as the upcoming fight with Faulk in a recent interview with Minnesotaboxing.com. Rodriguez, who says he is in the best shape of his pro career also replied to rumors that he has more big local rivalry bouts in the works over the upcoming months. Here is what Rodriguez had to say...

 

Before we talk about the fight against Michael Faulk, I would like to recap your last fight against Achour Esho in Chicago. It sounds like you had a pretty solid performance...
Yeah he was 9-0. I was going in as the opponent, and I had three weeks notice. So I trained really hard for three weeks! I did the best I could as far as three weeks goes. He was a strong kid though. Very athletic and well conditioned. I think he is also an MMA fighter and a trainer. As far as boxing abilities, he didn't really show us anything different then anything we had seen before. We had the boxing advantage. So for four rounds I was basically kicking his ass around the ring. I dropped him in the fourth with a straight right hand to the chin. He got up on the count of seven. I just continued to beat him around the ring for the rest of the round. But then I went back and sat on the stool between rounds and I was pretty gassed (laughing). So I had about a minute to recover and try to get my wind back. I went back out in the fifth round and just got clobbered. Like I said, he was very conditioned and very strong. But not only that but basically every punch he hit me with was to the back of the head. Right on my neck. I was sore the next day behind neck and on my ear because of all the contact.

Did you feel the punches were on purpose or did he have an out of control style?
I think he was aiming for it and it was his home turf so the referee wasn't going to call it. But I don't want to make any excuses. I think my performance was respectable that night looking back. But I wish I would have had better conditioning. But that was my mistake.

You are set to face Michael Faulk who is another well known name around here. Is there a history between you guys in the ring? Amateurs, sparring, anything like that?
Yeah, we never fought in the amateurs. But Mike, he's always been afraid to fight me. He came in here (Uppercut Gym) and sparred a few rounds...

Recently?
Yeah probably about a year and a half ago. We got three rounds of work in and by the end of the first I had him figured out. Second and third round I gave it to him (smiling). He's a confident guy though and I know he is coming into this fight with a little bit of confidence. But that's what we want. And eight weeks notice is plenty of time to get ready for a fight.

Let's talk about how training and how preparing for this bout has been going.
I've been sparring, doing a lot of strength and conditioning stuff. Lifting weights, doing a lot of running. I plan on being in the best shape of my life for this fight. I plan on going eight rounds. We know Mike was a good amateur. As far as a professional, I don't think he has been too successful. I saw his first fight and wasn't too impressed.

Did you see his fight against Richard Hargraves last month?
I did. I thought he was a little hesitant. I think Mike has a little more ability then what he showed that night. When the lights turn on and the crowd is there I think he tends to shell up a little bit. He just didn't throw much at all. I think it was a pretty easy decision for the judges.

So you are training for a better Michael Faulk then what you saw in the ring his last time out?
Right. We know Michael is capable of being a good boxer. He showed that as an amateur. But like I said, when the spotlight is on in front of the fans, so far we have not been impressed with his work. But we will prepare for the best no matter what.

You never want to look past the fight in front of you but there are a lot of rumors going around about you facing guys like Javontae Starks, Jamal James on some of the upcoming shows later this year. Is there any truth to those rumors?
I don't have a problem getting in the ring with either one of those two. I am going to get through this fight first and then we are looking at a possible showdown with Starks in September. I hope that happens, I hope it doesn't fall through! Sam Morales turned this fight down (on the 25th of August) and Michael Faulk originally turned it down as well. We tried to get Hector Orozco also for October on another SEG/Driller Promotions card and he also said no.

What weight are you looking at for these fights?
154. The Faulk fight is at 154, the Starks fight would be at 154, and then we are looking at another fight in October at that weight, possibly at 150. And then in January a Showdown with Jamal James would be the plan at 150 lbs. But that's the lowest I can go. I will meet him there halfway.

Anything you want to add in closing?
I just want to say I am bringing a lot of fans. I am expecting around 75-100 of my fans. I've been training hard and plan on putting on a good show. Michael Faulk, I hope you bring it.