Amateur Standout Turns Pro

After a very long and busy week, I decided to get in a quick “boxing fix” last Friday night. There were three shows in the Southern California area on this particular night but there was one fighter making his all-important pro debut at the Commerce Casino in the City of Commerce.

Since I had another event earlier in the evening, I stopped by hoping to catch Saul “Neno” Rodriguez’s professional debut as a prizefighter on All Star Promotions’ Live MMA and boxing card. With six boxing matches and two MMA bouts scheduled for the night, Neno’s fight was to be right in the middle of the pack. His sister, ringside photographer and former amateur fighter herself, Katherine Rodriguez, and I had been texting each other so I could stay posted on how the show was progressing. The last update–just as I was arriving at the venue–was, “Okay, he is up next!”

Rushing to the spiral staircase leading to the ballroom where the action was, I was looking forward to seeing the 18-year-old amateur standout joining the ranks of pro. The Commerce Casino is one of the largest poker casinos in the world, so it took me a few minutes to make my way through the cavernous building filled with boxing fans and gamblers alike, all celebrating the start of the weekend.

As I entered the room, two other boxers were in the ring–neither of them Neno. Thinking I made it in time, I greeted All Star Promotions’ Ed Holmes and Pete Hironaka. “Tonight’s going great! We’ve had some really excellent fights so far–real barn burners!” veteran promoter Holmes told me with a big smile. The promoting duo keep things sizzling in the Southland and are already planning two upcoming shows in October and November.

And what about Saul Rodriguez’s debut against Victorville’s William Fisher (0-4)?

Scheduled for four rounds, Rodriguez got the job done in one.

In boxing, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has become one of the newest and brightest stars in boxing. Looks like there’s a new “Saul” in town, Saul “Neno” Rodriguez.

“He won by first-round KO in 58 seconds!” his sibling Kat said. And in the lightning-speed age of technology, I could already view photos from various cell phones held out to me.

And there was still an electric buzz going through the room as the crowd was still talking about Saul’s knockout debut.

Trained by the famed Robert Garcia and Eduardo Garcia, the speedy and power-punching teen stalked his foe in the ring, landing a left and scoring a knockdown in the opening frame. After a ten count by referee Big John McCarthy, the southpaw Fisher rose to face his foe Rodriguez (1-0, 1 KO) once again. With Neno connecting with a devastating left hook to the head, the clock stopped for Fisher. McCarthy waved off the contest at 58 seconds in the first stanza–giving Rodriguez his first pro victory and his first KO win.

In this combat united show, the fans quickly took notice of this fresh new face in the pros. Fighting on the undercard of the Said El Harrak vs. Tony Hirsch main event, Neno’s already earning brand new fans. While chatting with Rodriguez, three dudes in the row next to us gave him a fist bump, one saying, “That was a ‘BAD ASS’ KO!”

The friendly and humble Neno said thank you to the guys as we continued our chat.

With any amateur going pro, the adrenaline, nervous energy and excitement has to be rumbling inside any young slugger’s mind. With such a raging debut, how did Rodriguez feel after the win?

“I hit him with two shots–both left hooks,” the Riverside pugilist tells me.

Adding with a slight smile, “But I can still draw people in with my right!”

Rodriguez has been boxing since he was eight; his sis Katherine was also a promising amateur boxer.

So what did she think of his debut?

“What did you think of your brother’s performance?” I asked his pretty and petite sister. “And what was it like waiting for his fight to begin?”

“I was very impressed with my brother’s performance!” Katherine replies.

“Waiting for his fight was a little nerve racking,” his sister admits, “only because I do not want to see him get hurt. And sometimes I wish it could be me fighting for his fight!”

And what was the waiting like for the fierce new pro?

“It went by so fast once I was in the ring,” answers Neno. “It was great; we have about 30 family and friends here too.”

“Now that you’re officially a pro, what’s the biggest difference?” I ask.

No, it’s not the bright lights or larger crowds. It’s the tools of the trade.

Saul says, “The biggest difference in the pros? THE GLOVES! I’m used to ten ounce gloves and headgear!”

Planning to stay busy, Rodriguez, who trains in Riverside at Indian’s Gym, looks forward to his second pro fight very soon.

And after his commanding KO victory, Neno got a couple of spur-of-the-moment fun “bonuses” too!

As ring announcer Jim FitzGerald told the crowd that with the knockout, all attendees with a ticket stub could claim two free tacos at the neighborhood Del Taco.

Besides the free tacos, Rodriguez also got a little surprise gift from his compadre.

Fellow lightweight Brandon Rios (also trained by Robert Garcia) came out to lend support and was impressed by Saul’s knockout. So impressed, he gave the teen phenom $100 in celebration! “Yeah, Brandon gave me a $100 for the knockout,” Rodriguez laughs. “That was cool!”

“Neno, what are you going to do with the money and your first paycheck as a pro?” I say.

“I’m gonna celebrate and have a family dinner with the money from Brandon,” the boxer shares. Saul Jr. comes from a close-knit family with his sister, Kat, and their parents Saul and Gabriela Rodriguez.

“And with the paycheck, I’m gonna be saving up!” the levelheaded young warrior nods.

Already a showstopper–and real crowd pleaser (especially with the “Free Tacos KO”!)–look for “Neno” to make his name known.

Photos by Michele Chong and Katherine Rodriguez/ RING PHOTOS BY MIGUEL SALAZAR