Coming up June 24th, heavyweight David Rodriguez (34-0 with 32 KOs) returns to his hometown of El Paso, TX when he takes on former title challenger Owen Beck (29-7 with 20 KOs) in a scheduled twelve round bout for a minor title. In this exclusive interview conducted by Boxingtalk, “Nino” speaks out on his upcoming fight and more.

BT: Give the readers your thoughts on your upcoming bout against Owen Beck.

David Rodriguez: I think it is a great match-up, I think it is going to be a great fight. He may show me a few looks that I am not used to but the bottom line I think I am going to end it with a knockout. 
 
BT: Do you feel Beck will be your toughest test to date?
 
DR: I guess, I will have to tell you that after the fight. I mean, I have already had some tough fights; there is no telling in boxing. I guess after the fight I can answer that question with more specifics. As of right now on paper he will be the toughest.
 
BT: Looking at Beck’s style, what do you see as his strengths that could give you problems and what weaknesses do you see that you feel you can capitalize on?
 
DR: I have seen a lot of tape on him and I think he is a game fighter; he is consistent with his jab, I will have to have a very good clean defense, but I cannot put everything on my defense. I am going to have to let my hands go, I have extreme power and speed and I am going to have to use that in this fight. I think the keys are the same for every one of my fights, to not worry about what my opponent is doing but to let my hands go and land the clean flush power shots.
 
BT: Looking at your record, you have won all of your fights expect but two via knockout. Now with that power and sporting the record that you do, does that add a bit of pressure, I mean it is like if you do not win by knock out the fans will not be happy?
 
DR: Yes it is pressure, I always feel that pressure. But it keeps me busy and the truth is I hit hard enough to where guys do not want to stay in there long with me. Because I stay relentless and as the fight goes on I land more power shots, more combinations, I stay busy.  I am a crowd pleasing type of fighter, but I do not always look for the knock out I am prepared to go ten twelve rounds to get the W.
 
BT: Here you are undefeated, moving up in the rankings and such, but yet you are still flying under the radar. You have not been featured on ESPN, Showtime or HBO. How does that lack of TV exposure hurt you and your career?
 
DR: It hurts me tremendously. I haven’t been given that chance for whatever reason. Maybe it is because for the longest I never signed with a really good promoter, the last team I was with we had a lot of disagreements with different promoters. But I am with a fresh new team now and hopefully those things will change.
 
BT: Yes, you are now with a new team as well as a new trainer, how has that been working out for you?
 
DR: Rafael Garcia who is legendary, he was worked with Mayweather and I think has had forty world champions, I am working with a guy out of El Paso. I think they have been excellent, Garcia points out everything that I do wrong, he is a perfectionist. Herman and I have a real good chemistry, I think I have a great team and I am very happy about it.
 
BT: Where do you feel you stand amongst the heavyweight division?
 
DR: I do believe I am definitely top twenty material, I believe this fight will get me to top ten material and then time will tell where I stand among the top five and heavyweight champions. I believe with the talent and skill right now I am definitely top ten. We shall see, I have been training for this my whole life so.
 
BT: Any message you would like to send out to Owen Beck?
 
DR: The only message that I am going to send to Owen Beck is the message that I am going to send to him in the fight, and the only way I am going to be sending messages is with my fists. I do not like to talk a lot, and when we get in the ring it is all business and he is an obstacle in my way.
 
BT: Anything in closing?
 
DR: I am just happy the WBC is giving me a chance to fight for one of their [regional] belts, and I am honored.
 
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