Julian Rodriguez: Pacquiao?s teenage spar mate fights at MSG in Golovkin ? Geale card
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 26 Jul 2014
Julian Rodriguez.
New York ? The main sparring partner of Manny Pacquiao in his last camp against Timothy Bradley Jr. will be fighting his first fight at the world famous Madison Square Garden which is called ?The Mecca of Boxing? this Saturday night.
Nineteen year-old Julian Rodriguez of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey will be crossing the Hudson River and he will be facing 39 year-old Yankton Southern (4-5, 4 KO) of Springfield Missouri in a 4 round light welterweight bout in the undercard of the middleweight championship match between Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Geale.
The undefeated (4-0, 3 KOs) Rodriguez, an alternate in the 2012 US Olympic Team, raves about the time he spent sparring and training with Pacquiao earlier this year at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
?I learned a lot from him. It is really hard to put into words. It is more like, how you feel, how you move and how he moves. ?said Rodriguez who admitted that sparring with Pacquiao was a ?great confidence boost? for him.
?I worked on my hand speed and defense during our exchanges and also on my foot work. He definitely taught me some things. Just being in there, you really learn a lot.?
Rodriguez and his other co-spar mates aided Pacquiao in retrieving his old World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt from Bradley Jr. in their rematch last April 12 at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He also spoke highly of Pacquiao and the superstar?s demeanor outside of the ring.
?Not only did I learn boxing from him, but also as a person. Oh my God, what a great person he is. The most generous guy I have ever met in my life, even outside of boxing. He is just really giving,? described the young boxer who might possibly be called again in the upcoming months to relinquish his role as Pacquiao?s sparring partner when the welterweight champ prepares for his November 23rd fight against challenger, Chris Algieri.
?Nothing is definite yet. But they definitely love the work that I provided for them. His camp mentioned to me plenty of times, that I am the reason that he was in really good shape for that fight. It was great work and it was really back and forth and that is what they needed.?
Rodriguez will be enjoying the support of family and friends who will be travelling from nearby Northern New Jersey to New York City to cheer for him Saturday night at The Garden.
?I am going to have a lot of supporters there so that is always a good source of motivation. I am going to show everyone on Saturday that no matter what my opponent brings, we?ll be ready. ?
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and is on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Jeremy Marticio wins IIEE SIKAT, ICFF won PTC World Engineering Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Facularin to fight Torres on December 13 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Baricuatro wins, Veloso falters in SEAG boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025BASH BOXING AND UP NEXT FIGHTING RETURN WITH SPECIAL EDITION UNF 29 TOMORROW NIGHT AT ACE · MISSION STUDIOS IN LOS ANGELES
Fri, 12 Dec 2025MERCADO AIMING TO SEND MESSAGE TO 140LB RIVALS
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Sullivan Management signs Influencer/pro boxer Brooklyn Barwick
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Round 12: Successful WBC Annual Convention in Bangkok (Photos)
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Halfway Point Surpassed at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Fri, 12 Dec 2025