Emmanuel Rodriguez vows to shine in from of countrymen in Orlando

Emmanuel Rodriguez (18-0, 12 KOs) is “doing it for Puerto Rico” when he makes the first defence of his IBF World Bantamweight title against unbeaten Australian Jason Moloney (17-0, 14 KOs) in the Ali Trophy Quarter-Final on Saturday at CFE Arena, Orlando, Florida.

“I feel very good, I can’t wait for Saturday night,” said Rodriguez. “We are going up against an undefeated opponent and he has my respect. I’ve seen videos of Jason and he is fast, intelligent and knows how to use the ring,” said the highly-skilled Puerto Rican.

“But I‘ve fought better opposition than him and there will be no doubt that I will walk away with the victory on Saturday.”

Despite fighting away from his native Puerto Rico, Rodriguez can expect massive support from his countrymen. Over 135,000 Puerto Ricans relocated to the USA after last year’s devastating Hurricane Maria and thousands settled in Orlando.

“It’s great to be fighting in Orlando, Florida because there will be a ‘Little Puerto Rico’ supporting me at the arena,” said Rodriguez. “I want no surprises on Saturday, and the victory will be for my people of Puerto Rico.”

Rodriguez won the IBF title in May when he dropped former world champion, Paul Butler, twice and dominated him over twelve rounds for a superior unanimous decision win. A star was born, experts said. And the chance of conquering the whole world is now on ‘Manny’s’ radar.

“I always wanted to face the best and the best are in this tournament,” said Rodriguez. “Winning it would make more fans know me and this division which is great. I have prepared myself to go all the way and bring back the Muhammad Ali Trophy to Puerto Rico.”

The winner of Rodriguez vs Moloney will face Japanese ‘Monster’, WBA Champion Naoya Inoue in the semi-final, a sensational IBF and WBA unification bout is on the horizon.

The second Ali Trophy quarter-final bout of the huge night of boxing on Saturday the CFE Arena in Orlando is a cruiserweight clash between Cuba’s Yunier Dorticos and Poland’s Mateusz Masternak.

The winner of Dorticos vs Masternak faces USA’s Andrew Tabiti who beat Russia’s Ruslan Fayfer unanimously on points in their quarter-final in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Tickets for the WBSS Quarter-Finals – Rodriguez vs Moloney & Dorticos vs Masternak – starting from $30 (plus fees) are on sale at TicketMaster.com.

Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals:

1. October 7th, Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals
Naoya Inoue (Japan) beat Juan Carlos Payano (Dominican Republic) – KO 1:10 of the first round
WBA ‘Regular’ Bantamweight Championship
&
Kiryl Relikh (Belarus) beat Eduard Troyanovsky (Russia) – UD 115-113 (x3)
WBA Super-Lightweight Championship

2. October 13th, Ekaterinburg Expo, Ekaterinburg, Russia – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals
Zolani Tete (South Africa) vs Mikhail Aloyan (Russia) – UD 114-111, 114-111 & 114-11
WBO Bantamweight World Championship
&
Andrew Tabiti (USA) vs Ruslan Fayfer (Russia) – UD 116-11, 115-112 & 114-11
Cruiserweight Quarter-Final

3. October 20th, CFE Arena, Orlando, USA – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals
Emmanuel Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) vs. Jason Moloney (Australia)
IBF Bantamweight Championship
&
Yunier Dorticos (Cuba) vs. Mateusz Masternak (Poland).
Cruiserweight Quarter-Final
TICKETS: From $30 (plus fees) here: TicketMaster.com

4. October 27th, U.N.O. Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, USA – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals
Regis Prograis (United States) vs. Terry Flanagan (England)
WBC Super-Lightweight Diamond Title
&
Ivan Baranchyk (Belarus) vs Anthony Yigit (Sweden)
IBF Super-Lightweight Championship
TICKETS: From $30 (plus fees) here: TicketMaster.com

5. November 3rd, SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals
Ryan Burnett (Northern Ireland) vs. Nonito Donaire (Philippines)
WBA ‘Unified’ Bantamweight Championship & WBC Bantamweight Diamond Title
&
Josh Taylor (Scotland) vs. Ryan Martin (United States)
WBC Super-Lightweight Silver Title
TICKETS: From £35 (plus fees) here: thessehydro.com

6. November 10th, UIC Pavilion in Chicago, USA – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals
Mairis Briedis vs. Noel Mikaelian
Cruiserweight Quarter-Final
&
Krzysztof Glowacki vs. Maksim Vlasov
Cruiserweight Quarter-Final
TICKETS: From $30 (plus fees) here: TicketMaster.com (On sale: Mon 1 Oct)

Season II divisions and Ali Trophy quarter-final match-ups:

Bantamweight:
Ryan Burnett (Northern Ireland) vs. Nonito Donaire (Philippines)
WBA ‘Unified’ World Championship and WBC Diamond Title

Zolani Tete (South Africa) vs. Mikhail Aloyan (Russia) – Tete W UD
WBO World Championship

Naoya Inoue (Japan) vs. Juan Carlos Payano (Dominican Republic) – Inoue W KO1
WBA ‘Regular’ World Championship

Emmanuel Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) vs. Jason Moloney (Australia)
IBF World Championship

Super-Lightweight:
Regis Prograis (United States) vs. Terry Flanagan (England)
WBC Diamond Title

Josh Taylor (Scotland) vs. Ryan Martin (United States)
WBC Silver Title

Kiryl Relikh (Belarus) vs. Eduard Troyanovsky (Russia) – Relikh W UD12
WBA World Championship

Ivan Baranchyk (Belarus) vs. Anthony Yigit (Sweden)
IBF World Championship

Cruiserweight:
Mairis Briedis (Latvia) vs. Noel Mikaelian (Germany)

Yunier Dorticos (Cuba) vs. Mateusz Masternak (Poland)

Krzysztof Glowacki (Poland) vs. Maksim Vlasov (Russia)

Ruslan Fayfer (Russia) vs. Andrew Tabiti (United States) – Tabiti W UD
IBF Eliminator