Jonathan Rodriguez's promoter Paco Damian discusses weight issues ahead of failed fight vs Kosei Tanaka
Mexico's Jonathan Rodriguez (25-2-1, 17 knockouts) won his WBO 115-pound title after losing more than six pounds. His fight against defending champion Kosei Tanaka (20-1, 11 KOs), scheduled for July 20, has been canceled. Photo credit: Naoki Fukuda
Junior bantamweight, Jonathan Rodriguez, was supposed to face Kosei Tanaka for the WBO 115-pound title on Saturday. However, on the scale the day before he weighed in at 121.25, meaning he was 6.25-pounds overweight and the fight was soon over.
It was hard not to feel sorry for Tanaka who had done his part and made weight, and Rodriguez has become something of a rarity, especially in Japanese circles.
His promoter, Paco Damian, a student of Hall of Fame great promoter Don Chargin, had gone to Japan with high hopes of walking away with his legend between his legs after a rough few days.
“This situation was very embarrassing,” Damian told The Ring. “Unfortunately, since Wednesday, Jonathan started to choke, had trouble breathing, and felt pressure in his chest. I had no choice but to water him and try to stay ahead of his signs. Since then we have not been able to catch up.
“There are no excuses for my fate. I am the promoter and I take all the responsibility. There is no finger pointing at the fighter or trainer. I love our game and one thing I can say is: There is never a bad intention to come hard.
“When I spoke to Mr. Honda about it, I spoke the truth. He is a decent man with a lot of knowledge. I would like to believe that you know that we have never had a bad intention to gain weight or use it as an advantage. We kept trying until the last minute to lose everything [bit of] the weight we can. We did everything we could as a team to make the fight happen. Until it was medically impossible.”
Rodriguez weighed in at 121.6 pounds on Wednesday of fight week but was unable to make any weight changes due to illness.
The match is suspended
电影選游が2.9kgなーを
再計量も断念して計量失格电影選游の体調や
まてまします なったてててていますますかまします、本來さんないない事
踸まさてます
It's a game of judgment明日はグローブ is not there
with a microphone
リングでますたにに顔さんます
Sorry for the inconvenience. pic.twitter.com/Eq3ehi74dy— 田中恒成/KOsei Tanaka (@KOsei530) July 19, 2024
Before that, according to Damian, things were going well and according to plan.
“Everything was going well,” he said. “I asked them and their response is that everything is fine.”
When it became clear to Damian that things were getting worse, he tried to help.
“I called the USA for advice,” he said. “I was worried and I knew we were in big trouble. We were all hoping that somehow with the cramps under control we could safely continue to work on losing the extra weight.
Jonathan Rodriguez (left) and his promoter Paco Damian in action in Japan as the fighter tries to lose weight before facing Kosei Tanaka – Photo courtesy of Paco Damian
“Unfortunately, every time the cramps come back after we've worked and lost weight, it was useless because I had to give him fluids to keep him safe, and that brought him back to the weight he was at. We couldn't catch up.
“On Wednesday, when this happened, I did not point the finger at anyone, rather I tried to make everyone quiet and face the situation. I took, Every time we worked on losing weight, I pushed Jonathan to the limit with commitment. However, at that time I had a lot of responsibility and that was his life first.”
The promoter apologizes for what happened and is determined to take his medication.
“This did not sit well with me,” he said. “I never accept excuses, excuses are people who are not willing to take responsibility.
“Some athletes from different countries do weight well. The damage we have caused is irreparable. As a leading person in my team, I take all the responsibility that I have to carry.”
Of course it is very early in the process, but the JBC is notorious for wrongdoers. They had a no-nonsense approach to Luis Nery who tested positive for zilpaterol and clearly missed weight against Shinsuke Yamanaka, and was handed a lifetime ban. That ban was later lifted to allow Nery to face Ring junior featherweight titleholder Naoya Inoue in May. Each case is unique and judged on its own merits.
“I'm glad they're tough, as they should be,” he said, succumbing to their temptation. “I don't know yet what their decision will be.”
Rodriguez's short-term future depends on the JBC's decision, although he has received encouraging support from the rest of the sanctions body.
“I had a conversation with him [WBC President] Mr. Mauricio Sulaiman when I was in Japan about this unfortunate situation and he personally gave me his board of doctors and experts to look at what happened to find out what was the cause of this, and to use this to make others aware. the players. And what weight class will he be fighting in soon.”
“I have to wait for the decision of the JBC,” explained Damian. “Then we will proceed accordingly.”
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].
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