The aspiring professional boxing career of Julian Rodriguez continues to ascend, when the 20-year-old North Bergen native fights as the headliner on a card Feb. 28 in the Tampa Sun Dome in a junior lightweight battle against Raul Tovar of Mission, Texas.
Rodriguez, now 8-0 with seven knockouts as a pro, is under the watchful eyes of Top Rank Promotions, headed by the immortal Bob Arum and organized by Carl Moretti of North Arlington.
“It’s all part of the plans that Top Rank has for me,” Rodriguez said. “They saw what I had and have really pushed me in a lot of other shows. They told me that big things are in store for me this year and this is the first main event that I’ve been in.”
Rodriguez said that he wasn’t anticipating being the main event so soon in his career.
“It just happened that way, but I’m really excited about it,” said Rodriguez, who fights with the nickname “Hammer Hands.” “Top Rank is asking me to show my skill in a big card. I’m definitely ready for it.”
And who knows what’s in store for Rodriguez, who has been boxing since he was 8 years old and fighting on the national amateur level, winning national titles since he was 10.
“I don’t want to look too far ahead,” Rodriguez said. “I’m comfortable with the decisions that Top Rank is making for me.”
Rodriguez is trained by Hoboken-based trainer Butch Sanchez and has done a lot of his training at the new Everlast Boxing Gym in Hoboken, as well as the Garden State School of Boxing in Hackensack.
“Butch has always been there for me,” Rodriguez said. “Since the very beginning, he’s helped me get to where I am today.”
Rodriguez said that the hard work he put in as a youngster in North Bergen is finally paying off.
“I used to get up at 5 a.m. when I grew up in North Bergen and sacrificed a lot,” Rodriguez said. “I would get up, train, then go to school, come home and train more. There was no play time. When I think of those days in North Bergen, that’s where it all started. I realized back then that it was a different lifestyle.”
Rodriguez said that he’s excited for what the future holds.
“I’m always ready for the next challenge,” Rodriguez said. “That’s up to Top Rank and whatever they seem is fit. They have been handling me so well. I have faith in Top Rank. Whenever they think I’m ready for the next step, then I’ll be ready to talk about the bigger opponents.”
Needless to say, the young man’s star is on the rise…
Speaking of on the rise, Union City’s Josue Matias, who just recently completed his fine football career at Florida State, is watching his stock skyrocket before the upcoming NFL Draft.
Matias, who played on one national championship team with the Seminoles, was projected first as a low fifth-round draft, but recently has been listed as a second round and possible first round pick.
We will have more about Matias’ draft status in the coming weeks…
Speaking of Union City, local legend Tom Heinsohn has been selected for induction into the Naismith National Basketball Hall of Fame.
Heinsohn, who played for the defunct St. Michael’s of Union City before moving on to Holy Cross and becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer. Heinsohn then played for the Boston Celtics for 10 years and was a six-time NBA All-Star who later became the head coach of the Celtics, winning two NBA titles as a coach, and currently serves the team as an announcer.
Heinsohn, who already is a member of the Hall of Fame as a player, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame officially as a coach in July….
Jersey City suffered another huge loss last week, when Bernie Gordon died suddenly in Florida at the age of 66. Gordon was a fixture in the Hudson County Schools of Technology for more than 20 years and was the proprietor of Hudson Pool Management, servicing several local swimming pools in the area.
But Gordon was also a dedicated coach during his days, the latest being an assistant baseball coach at Hudson Catholic, remaining steadfast and strong to the Hawks to the very end. His son, Jamie, is also a fixture at Hudson Catholic sporting events.
On a personal note, Bernie was a great friend who would be willing to do anything and everything to help his friends, going out of his way to lend a hand to several causes. I had the pleasure to coach Jamie when he played Biddy basketball in Jersey City and Bernie was at practically every game, no matter where the games were played. Words can’t begin to describe the sorrow I feel for his wife Barbara and sons Bernie, Jr. and Jamie. Bernie was a great man who will never be forgotten…
Jersey City native Ed Lucas has a book coming out in April about his incredible life as a blind journalist, penned with help by his son Chris. There’s a website already for the book, www.seeinghomebook.com to help with the launch of the book. Check it out…
Lincoln High School’s football team had an incredible 12 members reach the Honor Roll this past marking period. That’s outstanding production in the classroom and the gridiron by the Lions…
Secaucus native David DeFerrari became the all-time leader in coaching victories in the men’s basketball program at Felician College last week. That’s a great achievement for the hard-working DeFerrari…
Weehawken won its opening round game in the Hudson County boys’ basketball tournament with a resounding win over Ferris, the 11th straight win for the 13-3 Indians. Alain Ravelo has been a major contributor over the last three weeks, averaging close to 18 points per game, giving Jake McNish’s Indians a solid 1-2 punch with standout McKay LeDuke…
The top four seeds in the Hudson County Tournament are defending champion Hudson Catholic, Marist, Snyder and surging Union City. The Soaring Eagles and coach Drew Morano are definitely living up to their nickname, winning 10 of their last 12 games…
The county tournament semifinals and finals return to St. Peter’s University this year, with the finals tentatively scheduled for next Friday night, Feb. 27…
Hudson Reporter Boys’ High School Basketball Top Five: 1. St. Anthony (18-1). 2. Hudson Catholic (19-3). 3. Marist (17-4). 4. Snyder (14-6). 5. Union City (15-6)…
Hudson Reporter Girls’ High School Basketball Top Five: 1. Secaucus (21-0). 2. Lincoln (17-4). 3. North Bergen (13-5). 4. Ferris (15-4). 5. Marist (13-6)…-Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.