The Elimination Chamber: Delgado Vs. Rodriguez Preview and Analysis
There is only one chance. One chance at victory and what comes thereafter - glory.
Image Courtesy of Eight Count.
Repetition is vital to a sport with heritage.
In fact, in boxing, there is one story that goes the exact same way, everytime…
Back in the day, anyone used to fight anyone, regardless of praise or consequence.
This is something that boxing as a business tends to shy away from, in the four belt era. Promoters and people of power would prefer to protect their prospects, even when they have produced championship results.
Top Rank Promotions are, however, hosting one particular card in which these deeply entrenched values are being squashed, battered and ignored. The very intention of this card is to pit prospect against prospect - an elimination chamber at the highest level.
The co-feature of the night features the super-lightweight division, a weight that calls numerous, numerous people into the realms of prospect.
Palms Casino Resort in Sin City, Nevada, hosts an IBF #2 eliminator for Mexican Lindolfo Delgado (22-0) and Dominican Elvis Rodriguez (17-1-1).
There will be praise, there will be consequences. Only one will leave the elimination chamber as the victor, with the likes of Subriel Matias (21-2) and IBF World Super-Lightweight titleist Richardson Hitchins (19-0) waiting on the horizon line.
In a division lathered with talent at a global level, Lindolfo Delgado became a person of interest throughout the 2024 period.
The thirty-year-old from Linares in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, did not pursue the traditional route prescribed to the Mexican archetype. Rather than chase success in the professional leagues, Delgado sought amateur glory.
The super-lightweight would win two silver medals, as he partook in both the Pan American Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games. The Olympic Games became a beacon for Delgado, one that he would follow.
In 2016, that dream ignited. Delgado represented the nation of Mexico as a lightweight in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio. However, sometimes, dreams are associated with nightly brain activity for a reason; Delgado was eliminated in the opening session by Italy’s Carmine Tommasone (3-2).
That was it.
Leaving the amateur game with a record of twenty-four wins, thirteen losses and three knockouts, Delgado officially made the transition to seek professional glory, like thousands of Mexicans before him.
Immediately, the power was evident. Knockout records in the amateur game can be vastly deceiving and the 5’9” Delgado was a prime example. Eleven fights into his stint as a professional and Delgado had not heard the final bell.
The fantastic fighter was also an attraction, featuring on cards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, the AT&T Stadium in Arlington and the Staples Center in L.A.
It was a visit to Sin City that saw Delgado go the full distance; an eight round stretch against Salvador Briceno (18-10-1), a Mexican of a certain solidity. Nevertheless, Top Rank could see that Delgado had more than the stereotypical lumber of a Mexican brawler.
As the level continued to soar and the knockouts ceased, it was clear that Delgado had a high level of skill - the sharp and sharp-witted jab, the complimentary right hand, the pinpoint footwork and a thoughtful check hook all assisted in producing results for the Mexican.
Over the ten round distance, these attributes only continued to excel as Delgado found comfort in the lengthy straight. Occasionally, there were a few performances in which it was noted that Delgado could’ve done more. Perhaps, with his capability, a finish could have been pursued.
Either way, this was thoughtful work and 2024 proved to be the most decisive year of his career yet.
A fourth round stoppage in 2023 transitioned into a seventh round KO in 2024. The WBO Latino Super-Lightweight title was available for Delgado, the only belt Delgado has acquired thus far.
Undefeated Bryan Flores (26-1-1) put Delgado through tough times, with spectators at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque observing that Delgado was very much under fire. Yet, as all great fighters do, Delgado won the decision - a split-decision over ten.
Against his most recent enemy, Jackson Marinez (22-4), Delgado was dangerous. Clearly, alongside his fine attributes, Delgado is capable of decisive victory, when inspired.
In the most significant fight presented to Delgado to date, he will need to be inspired, decisive and fuelled by fire and spite as much as ability.
Elvis Rodriguez is, after all, no slouch.
Known as ‘The Dominican Kid’, Rodriguez also featured heavily at an amateur level. Featuring in the AMBC American Boxing Continental Championships, the AIBA World Championships and the Central American and Caribbean Games, his influence even extended into the pseudo-professional World Series of Boxing.
Whilst very accomplished, Rodriguez would fail time and time again to defeat Cuban dangerman Andy Cruz (5-0), whose amateur record read one-hundred-and-thirty-five wins, nine losses and ten knockouts.
In comparison, Rodriguez’ read nineteen wins and fourteen losses, according to what is available on Boxrec. The twenty-nine year old southpaw sought the console of the professional leagues.
At his very best, Rodriguez was a sensation. Tall and intensely muscular for the division, with a 71” reach and slicing southpaw stance. However, at his worst, Rodriguez would develop a close relationship with disaster.
In fight No.3, a cut from an accidental headbutt resulted in a technical draw being called against nine wins, eighteen losses and three draws Joaquin Chavez (9-19-4).
A subsequent knockout streak, similar to that of Delgado’s, would temporarily avert Rodriguez from disaster. However, in the post-pandemic world, Rodriguez would become short of breath, as his contest for the WBC USA Super-Lightweight title resulted in failure.
Attempting to meet fellow prospect Kenneth Sims Jr. (22-2-1), Rodriguez was edged out in his only professional loss to date. The scorecards read 74-78 twice and 76-76. Rodriguez was uninspired throughout.
Since then, ‘The Dominican Kid’ has dominated at a level, refining his craft on his way to challenging at a higher level once more. A defining moment came as Rodriguez scored a seventh round TKO against Viktor Postol (32-5), a previous title-holder with heaps of experience.
Another hiccup was averted at this point when Jino Rodrigo (13-4-2) traded knockdowns with the prospect. Again, Rodriguez was caught lacking, but took it to a unanimous verdict.
A shut-out against Kendo Castaneda (21-9) on the undercard of Mayer-Ryan I at Madison Square Garden pulls Rodriguez into his second chance.
This could very much be the fight of the night, if it plays out in a particular way.
When both men are outputting their very best, they could truly carve out something of note in a division absolutely spilling with talent.
However, both men suffer with bouts of lethargy that could prove lethal. Of the two, Rodriguez is the most absent; there can sometimes be a lack of urgency or investment in a fight.
Delgado, whilst suffering less from this issue, has still had a few performances that can source a similar feeling - particularly his contest against Flores. However, there is more refinement in his overall approach.
Sometimes, Rodriguez can be caught in a state of distress, such as in the Rodrigo contest. A well-timed left hook or strong back-hand from Delgado would have serious consequences, if Rodriguez allows.
Selective shots from the southpaw stance, when delivered with confidence, could provide Delago with an element of trouble and give Rodriguez an advantage. Other advantages are physical. After all, Rodriguez is the lengthier man with the capabilities to expand on this.
As both of their styles are still subjected to their amateur backgrounds, it could devolve into a tentative contest where margins are thin. However, it would be highly technical.
If they bring their best, it should captivate.
Given the stakes, it certainly should, as the IBF eliminator for the #2 position should provide both men with more than just passion.
It should provide them with glory.
Our Prediction - Lindolfo Delgado W-MD10 Elvis Rodriguez