RODELA WINS A CLOSE ONE OVER KELLY
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 11 Oct 2008
Los Angeles, CA:- It was not pretty but a win is a win. For David Rodela, the affable kid from Oxnard called ?Peligroso?, that is exactly what happened.
Tonight at the Desert Diamond Casino in balmy Tucson, Arizona, Rodela was matched by the Golden Boy Promotions against an aging but wily veteran, Kevin Kelly.
Kelly, formerly of Flushing, New York and now a Las Vegas-based fighter is better known amongst Filipinos as a fourth round knock-out victim of Bobby Pacquiao. That occurred in New York last June 10, 2006.
The 8-round fight was so close leading up to the 7th round. It could have easily ended up the other way around if Rodela did not give the strong finish that he did in round 8.
In fact, while waiting for the verdict to be revealed, Rodela himself did not appear confident that he won, particularly after the score of the first judge was announced as 78-72 in favor of Kelly. He was seen shaking his head as if to say- ?well this one is not for me?.
However, when the scores of the other two judges ( 78-74 and 77-75) were announced and his name was called out as the winner by a split decision, Rodela leaped up to celebrate while flashing a huge smile that clearly showed the green colored mouthguard we humbly made for him. He then run to a neutral corner, got on the ropes and raise his hand in proud victory.
With his win over the aging veteran, Rodela improved to 11-1-2 (6K0) while the 41 year old Kelly fell to 60-9-2 (39KO).
Rodela, since becoming a sparring partner of Manny Pacquiao has become a darling of the Filipinos. In fact, his last fight was held at the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel last August where he won via a 3rd round TKO over Arnel Porras.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Apr 2025Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025