For the past several weeks, ESPN’s acclaimed series Friday Night Fights has been consistently delivering action packed exciting bouts that fans want to watch. This week’s edition featuring a junior middleweight showdown as the main event promises to keep the fireworks coming, as undefeated George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah (31-0-1, 23 KO) goes to battle with former title challenger Delvin Rodriguez (24-6-3, 14 KO) in a 10-round fight live from Uncasville, Connecticut.
The tale of the tape includes Comanche Boy who has been accumulating the wins and slowly working his way up the rankings of the division, while Rodriguez has fought one tough war after another, his last three trips to the ring being against current champion Austin Trout (lost 12 round UD), and twice against Pawel Wolak (won UD; Draw, MD).
Comanche Boy has fought his share of journeymen in earning this spotlight fight on ESPN, while Rodriguez will be looking to win in impressive fashion to get his name back into the mix of title contenders.
“I know my opponent’s a guy who comes forward,” said Rodriguez of Comanche Boy. “He fought at middleweight for most of his career, so we’ve been training with guys similar to his style. We always prepare hard, so I don’t think there will be any problem.”
Rodriguez got outworked by Trout last summer, but fought hard through the fight. He showed his ability to last through each round and give himself a fighter’s chance. The experience he will be carrying into the ring against Comanche Boy will give him an obvious advantage, and for the 34-year-old Tahdooahnippah, his time to shine is now, and show that he has what it takes to compete with upper tier fighters.
It’s one thing to protect your unblemished record by fighting part-time boxers and tomato cans, but it is another thing to step up to the big stage and show that you are ready to compete with the best in the world.
Comanche Boy’s opportunity will be presented Friday night.
“I’ve seen Rodriguez fight a couple of times, on ESPN against Wolak, and against Trout,” said Rodriguez. “I know he’s a warrior. He’s been in big fights. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity all my life. I’m bringing a lot of pride, motivation and drive.”
Tahdooahnippah will need more than heart to exit the ring victoriously Friday night, and has shown through his career that he has the power and perseverance to finish an opponent. He needs to not get caught up with Rodriguez’s resume, but more so his task at hand. He has studied the fighter who will be standing across the ring from him, and has put together a game plan. Friday night will be indicative of how well he is able to execute, and if he belongs in the mix of title contenders in the junior middleweight division.
The co-feature of this week’s FNF is a 10-round lightweight bout against Chris “Hurricane” Howard (14-2-1, 6 KO) against “The Mongolian Mongoose” Bayan Jargal (17-3-3, 10 KO).
The action begins live on ESPN 2 at 9 p.m. Eastern this Friday, February 15.