New York City Police Officer and well-known amateur boxer Nisa Rodriguez (1-0, 0 KOs) is looking forward to competing this Saturday at the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York City during Puerto Rico Memorial Day weekend.
The 33-year-old Rodriguez will face Jordan Garcia (4-3, 3 KOs) of Albuquerque, New Mexico in a four-round bout that will be main carded with Xander Zayas vs. Patrick Teixeira and streamed on ESPN2.
Rodriguez, an eight-time New York Daily News Golden Gloves champion, six-time Metro Championship winner and two-time Empire State and Caribbean Central America gold medalist, is also excited to be fighting back home.
“Puerto Rico Day for me [in New York City] “It goes back to my friend Miguel Cotto,” Rodriguez says, “who started out as a fighter, then became a boxer, and was a proud Puerto Rican.”
Cotto made his debut at Madison Square Garden on June 11, 2005, on Puerto Rico Day, defending his junior welterweight title against Muhammadkodir Abdullaev, and has since fought a total of 10 bouts at the venue, including five bouts on national holidays celebrating his home country.
Rodriguez also noted the importance of Felix “Tito” Trinidad in laying the foundation for the tradition of Puerto Rico's best fighters representing the island in bouts held in New York during Puerto Rico Day weekend.
“Even with Tito, I was young, maybe 15 or 16. I didn't start boxing in Golden Gloves until I was 17,” Rodriguez said. “Then it was my time. I grew up with a lot of Puerto Rican fighters. I knew Juan Laporte, but I didn't really get to know him until I was older. I remember Amanda Serrano fighting on Puerto Rican Day.”
In March, Rodriguez made her professional debut, defeating Josette Cotton by unanimous decision at the Madison Square Garden Theatre. In the meantime, she has been juggling her career as a police officer and a professional boxer. Her manager, Keith Sullivan, is having a hard time choosing opponents for Rodriguez. Although Rodriguez has only one professional fight under her belt, she has been a very accomplished amateur.
“Keith Sullivan had a hard time finding an opponent for my first fight,” Rodriguez said. “I heard he looked at 13 women for my first fight. They wanted the money for an eight-round fight in a four-round fight. Some wouldn't even sign the contract, even if they agreed. I'm amazed Keith found this opponent for me.” [so far ahead of the fight]. “
“I was working on matching Nisa for this fight 10 minutes after she won her pro debut,” Sullivan said. “I was texting the coaches from the venue and we started lining up some tough opponents.”
“Nisa will be facing a more experienced and highly ranked boxer, but given her long and impressive amateur career, she has no intention of slowing her way to a world title. We thank Top Rank for inviting us to take part in what will be a fantastic night of boxing in New York City.”
