MONTE CARLO SUPER 4

RONNIE SHIELDS BELIEVES

EDWIN “LA BOMBA” RODRIGUEZ

NOW A COMPLETE FIGHTER

HEADING TO MONTE CARLO

HOUSTON, TX (March 18, 2013) – After working together for four fights and nearly two years, head trainer Ronnie Shields is confident that undefeated, United States Boxing Association (USBA) super middleweight champion Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) is now a complete fighter as he heads to Monaco for the “Monte Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” at Casino de Monte-Carlo.

Rodriguez takes on unbeaten 2008 Argentina Olympian Ezequiel “El Olimpico” Maderna (19-0, 13 KOs) in the opening round of four-fighter tournament.  Rodriguez vs. Maderna is half of a historic four-man tournament, also matching two-time, two division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18 KOs) and Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (12-1-1, 8 KOs) in a light heavyweight bout.  The championship final of the “Super Four” will showcase the two winners at a catch-weight of 171 ½ lbs., worth $1,000,000 (60-40 split), on July 13 in Monaco.

The “Monte Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET – 12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and in Canada via Bell TV for a suggest retail price of only $24.95.  In addition, the event will be available via on-line Pay Per View at:

http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Gennady_Golovkin_vs_Nobuhiro_Ishida/1896.

Rodriguez was an unbalanced, almost defenseless brawler when Shields first started training the Dominican Republic native.  An all-out attack mode but Shields taught Rodriguez how to work off his jab, stay balanced, and develop his defensive skills.  Those particular traits blossomed in Rodriguez’ convincing win against Donovan George by 10-round decision, but his punches weren’t as powerful as they had been when he brawled.  In his last fight, however, Rodriguez’ power returned as he battered Jason Escalera en route to an eighth-round knockout.

Now, Shields contends, his prize student is the complete package. “As Edwin matures,” Shields explained from training camp in Houston, “the better he gets in the ring.  He’s seen all styles of sparring and everything has come together for him.  There is no style he hasn’t mastered.  Without a doubt, Edwin is a complete fighter.”

View promo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0pqvjNVciE

Maderna, a 2008 Argentina Olympian, is ranked No. 5 by the WBO and No. 13 by the IBF. He will be fighting outside of his native Argentina for the first time as a professional.

“He is a tall, slender kid with a great amateur background, highlighted by him competing in the 2008 Olympics,” Shields spoke about Maderna.  “When I’ve looked at him fight, I see him throwing punches as he comes forward, but he’s not nearly as effective going backwards.  He’s never fought outside of Argentina and has never fought anybody like with Edwin.  Maderna is a good fighter but Edwin has a little too much for this kid.  He is a European-type fighter who drops his hands a little when he’s confident.  He doesn’t seem like a big puncher.  If Edwin establishes his jab, it’ll be a long night for Maderna, who is a different fighter than anybody Edwin’s fought since I’ve been with him.”

Shields isn’t concerned that Rodriguez will be looking past Maderna to the Erdei-Grachev winner in the “Super Four” championship final and its $600,000 champion’s purse.

“Edwin can’t get to the final unless he beats Maderna,” Shields concluded, “which is why this fight is so important for Edwin.  He knows and understands this.  Edwin has never been a problem looking past anybody.”

The “Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” is distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and in Canada via Bell TV for a suggest retail price of only $24.95.  In addition, the event will be available via online Pay-Per-View at: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Gennady_Golovkin_vs_Nobuhiro_Ishida/1896

The event is promoted by Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves.  The Golovkin-Ishida bout is promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev bouts are promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting the SBM Reservations Department by phone at: +377 98 06 36 36 (10 am to 7 pm) or email: [email protected].

For further information,

Please contact publicist

Clinton van der Berg

Phone: +27 83 297 4677

Email: [email protected]

US: Kevin Rooney

Phone: + 212 947 2577

Email: [email protected]

Bob Trieger – Team Rodriguez

Full Court Press,

978.664.4482

[email protected]

Monte-Carlo SBM press department:

Guillaume Jahan de Lestang

Phone: +377 98 06 64 12

Email: [email protected]