Rodriguez, Trout ready to close out year!

This article courtesy of NewMexicoBoxing.com and Fightnews.com

Rodriguez, Trout ready to close out year!Top Rank returns to Las Cruces Dec. 21
Report by Ricardo Trujillo

A press conference was held today at the Sonoma Ranch Golf Course Clubhouse in Las Cruces, N.M. to promote the Telefutura-televised card Dec. 21 at Dickerson’s Barn.

The honorable Ken Miyagishima, Mayor of the city of Las Cruces, was present to welcome the fighters and remark how important this event is to the city.

The card features undefeated lightweight Urbano Antillon (20-0, 13 KOs) from Nimiquipa, Mexico, who takes on Juarez scrapper Adrian “Gallero” Valdez (18-5-3, 10 KOs).

It will be the local boxers, however, from El Paso and Las Cruces, who should pack the “barn”.
Unbeaten El Paso heavyweight David “Nino” Rodriguez (26-0, 25 KOs) and Las Cruces jr. middleweight Austin “No Doubt” Trout (12-0, 10 KOs) will take on step-up opponents in the 10-round co-main and eight-round special.

Rodriguez was slated to fight Damon Reed (43-12, 30 KOs) but after he fell out, Reed was replaced with Nigeria’s Innocent Otukwu (14-11, 2 KOs).

“I’m ranked by the NABF and NABO, and a win over Damon Reed would have given me a title shot,” said Rodriguez. “It’s frustrating. This is the second time it [the opponent] has changed, but I’m used to it.
“All Otukwu has to do is expose his chin and it’s over.”

Otukwu is on a two-fight win streak, after losing seven straight (six by stoppage), all to tough opposition.
Trout is set to go against Erik Rafael Esquibel (15-5-1, 12 KOs), a former Mexican champ in an undercard bout.
“I’ve got my bag of tricks as a southpaw,” said Trout. “I will shock Esquibel.”
When asked to reveal his bag of tricks he said, “I will step to the side and pop him—that’s all I’m telling you.”

Louie Burke, trainer for Rodriguez and Trout summed it up best by saying, “Boxing is life under a microscope and these kids are ready. They call us title town for a reason, because of these kids. They are all prospects.”

Two Las Cruces PAL boxers, Sammy DiPace and Abie Han will be making their pro debuts on the undercard, against still-unnamed opponents.

DiPace who was a 2008 US Olympic trials semifinalist in the bantamweight division, who turned 18 yesterday, says he is ready to go:

“As a pro, I need to work on my defense. Boxing builds discipline and I will need that as a pro.”

DiPace’s namesake, his dad Sammy DiPace III also took the podium, saying, “It’s very emotional thing to be involved with your kid, but I think I can get him through this first part. Sammy needs to keep the pressure on and sit down on his punches.”

He went on to say, “I don’t have the knowledge to take him all the way. We will need help down the road.”
Han was in class taking a final at UTEP, and was not available for comment.

Tickets available at all Pic Quik locations in Las Cruces or call 505-373-0208 for more information. Dickerson’s Event Center is located at 3920 W. Picacho, tickets range from $20.00 general admission to $40.00 ringside.