(Esther Lin / Most Valuable Promotions)
Boxing’s dreaded red corner – relegated to the challenger, the underdog and, typically, the expected loser – can serve as the perfect source of motivation to the boxer with the ideal temperament.
In two consecutive fights, Julian Rodriguez has proven to be that man.
The New Jersey welterweight will return to the ring Sunday night in the co-main event of Zuffa Boxing’s Paramount+ card from the Meta Apex when he meets a third consecutive unbeaten foe, James Perella, 21-0 (15 KOs), after his consecutive breakthrough victories.
First, in June, Rodriguez, 31, confronted a new Jake Paul signee for Most Valuable Promotions, exchanging knockdowns with Avious Griffin in Anaheim, California, and heading to the final round tied on two of the three scorecards.
Rodriguez, nicknamed “Hammer Hands,” left nothing to chance, delivering a furious batch of punches that knocked out Griffin with five seconds remaining in the 10-round bout.
That earned him a new contractual alliance with Zuffa Boxing, but his debut was another red-corner assignment versus the ever-punching, hard-nosed Cain Sandoval, who emerged as can’t-miss entertainment under the former 360 Promotions banner of Zuffa’s Tom Loeffler.
Instead of dispatching Rodriguez to boost his chances at becoming the first welterweight winner of the Zuffa belt, Sandoval fell to 17-1 by the wide scorecards of 99-91, 98-92, 99-91.
“I allowed that pressure to fuel my mindset,” Rodriguez told BoxingScene this week. “I’ve been around this game a long time and knew I had a lot more experience than both of those opponents. I knew I had the edge. I knew I had the better skill set.
“Obviously, Cain brought his pressure – and I know pressure breaks pipes and breaks fighters down – but I knew he didn’t have the skill or intelligence that I did. I just kept reassuring myself who I was. I didn’t focus on the outcome going into the ring – that gets in the way, causes hesitation.
“I focused on my camp, focused on being the best version of myself. Mentally, physically, spiritually. Whatever happens, happens. You’ve seen the results. It’s genuine, and it’s allowed me to put on a great show for the fans and be my best self. I get it all out there. With that mindset, I feel my best and I perform my best.”
The consequences of defeat in either situation could’ve been severe. Rodriguez knows 30-something contenders – he’s only ranked…
2026-05-08 02:00:00
