Emilio Rodriguez: Physical Legacy
I don’t fight for the money. I fight for my legacy. I fight for history. I fight for my people.
—Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC Champion
The stocky 18-year-old youth shook the punching bag with his hard and extremely fast punches. His trainer can hardly hold on. He wasn’t known as “El Relampago” or “The lighting” in Mexico for nothing.
Despite his 5 ft 10 in height and body weight of 210 lb, the speed with which he moved across the ring is simply amazing.
Magic Ingredient
Emilio Rodriguez has been described in boxing magazines as “Mike Tyson ++.” His boxing style and power is a replica of boxing legend Mike Tyson in his youth. There is an added “magic ingredient” in his abilities—lightning speed. He has an uncanny ability to disappear from the line of sight of his opponents and suddenly bombard them with five to ten power punches. Few ever survived his attacks.
Despite his very young age, he already has a professional boxing record of 25–0. All 25 wins have been by way of knockout in under five rounds.
Emilio has been in the global stage in recent months as a result of his lined up first title fight for the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight championship of the world. If he wins, he would make history by being the youngest heavy champion of the world.
There has been a lot of speculation about his ability. Many experts claimed that aside from his last five fights, his past opponents were not world-class fighters. He built his record from mere luck and for fighting weak opponents. Yet many remained impressed, his skill and professionalism at such a young age has not been typical in the world of boxing.
When Talent Meets Destiny
Emilio’s trainer Ernesto called him to one side and handed him a glass of water. “So, how do you feel? Do you feel up to it?”
Emilio took a sip of water and threw some speed punches in the air, “You know I’m born for this Ernesto. When it’s your destiny, and you’re blessed from above, everything is easy.”
Ernesto smiled. He had always been impressed by Emilio’s strong faith. The boxer would pay for five masses before each fight. He would pray that his fight would end in less than five rounds. So far, his prayers have been consistently answered. Ernesto was concerned about the upcoming fight though. The current heavy champion was a lot bigger than Emilio. He was undefeated with a record of 45 wins, with 40 by way of knockout.
Emilio and the current champion had different boxing styles. Emilio tends to be the aggressor, the champion tends to be a slugger. Emilio’s strength is speed, the champion’s strength is power. On several occasions, the champion’s left hook threw the opponent a couple of feet up the air. Seven of the champion’s opponents have been hospitalized after the fight.
Emilio’s camp was worried about this fight. This was the biggest fight in Emilio’s young life. There was a huge risk, yet the rewards were very high. Emilio had the opportunity to become the youngest heavyweight champion of the world.
The path to his boxing success was not an easy one. Emilio had a rough life as a young child. He grew up in poverty and often got into trouble with neighborhood thugs. Some say, he acquired his speed by warding off simultaneous attacks of multiple thugs. Emilio’s neighborhood still recount the days when as an 8-year-old boy, he single-handedly fought six grown men and knocked them all out.
He had to drop out of school multiple times to try to make some money. The fact that his father was in prison meant that he had to somehow help his mom bring food to the table. He did odd jobs like working in the grocery store to make some money. He soon discovered that he can earn more by taking part in weekly underground, bare-knuckle fights. He learned to fight the hard way. At that point in life, he had no boxing training whatsoever. He threw and took punches like a man. He learned and mastered the art of street-fighting.
His life took a positive turn when Ernesto spotted him in one of the underground fighting events. He took the young man under his wing, trained him, and introduced him to the top boxing manager in Mexico. The rest, as they say, is history.
Ernesto had a glimpse of Emilio’s discipline and passion for the sport years back. Emilio asked him then, “How many hours a day do professional boxers work out?” Ernesto said it was 3 to 5 hours a day. Emilio shrugged and said, “I’d like to double that.” He had never seen a committed boxer as Emilio in his entire life.
On one day, Ernesto asked, “Why do you train so hard?” Emilio looked at him intently and said, “I am destined to be a champion one day my friend. I’d like to be the best boxer in the world.”
Emilio not only trained hard, he also studied hard. He wanted to learn everything he can. He read books about boxing and fitness. He spent countless hours watching boxing fights and training videos. He consulted with trainers, medical experts, and coaches from around the world. He wanted to be not only in his best physical shape but also his best mental and spiritual self. Aside from a doctor, a dietician, and a trainer, he even had a priest in his entourage.
In retrospect, it dawned upon Ernesto that all roads have led to this event. Emilio had been preparing for this upcoming fight all his life. Moreover, he had positive thoughts and prayers from all over Mexico backing him up. An entire nation was rooting for him.
A Night to Remember
The championship night finally came. The first ten rounds were fairly even between Emilio and the champion. The score cards showed that Emilio performed better than the champion in the first five rounds. The champion was ahead on points from the sixth to the tenth round. The eleventh round was called a draw—both boxers knocked each other down.
The twelfth and final round was coming up. Emilio sat by his corner for a minute of rest. A doctor stopped by to examine his badly swollen and bleeding eye. Emilio assured the doctor he was okay. The reality was that he could not see at all from the swollen eye. Emilio was glad the doctor could not see his broken rib and sprained left hand. There is no quitting now. His destiny and legacy was on the line.
Ernesto was concerned, “Are you okay? Do you want to do this?”
Emilio nodded and smiled weakly, “You know I’ll do this even if I have to die in this ring tonight right?”
Ernesto looked at Emilio closely, “Look, you’ll need a knockout to win. The fight is too close to call. Some score cards may show the champ leading slightly on points. You really need to knock him out.”
Emilio nodded slowly and did not respond. He worked so hard for this fight. He had given it his heart and soul. His extensive training helped him endure the brutal punches of the champion. If he had trained just a tad less, he would have been knocked out several rounds earlier. He contemplated on how he can knock out the champion. His body was aching, but he tried to keep his mind of the pain. He wondered whether the champion was also in pain like him. He looked at the champion to see if there was any indication of pain or weakness. He noticed that the champion was rubbing his hand over his right abdomen and speaking to his trainer about it and he was grimacing in pain. Emilio smiled, he found the champion’s weaknesses—a broken rib on the right side. He’ll throw the hardest punch he could ever throw in that spot.
The bell rang signaling the start of round 12.
As the two boxers approached each other, Emilio immediately ducked, shifted to the right and with a lightning speed threw a solid right blow to the right abdomen of the champion. The champion did not know what hit him. The champion instantly fell on his knees and could no longer stand up.
The crowd roared and erupted in amazement and cheers.
The fight was stopped and Emilio was declared the winner.
Emilio was immediately propelled to the global stage. He solidified his legacy. Hours after the heavyweight championship fight, newspapers worldwide read, “Rodriguez becomes youngest heavyweight champ.”
Legacy Lesson 7: There exist opportunities to leverage one’s physical attributes, strength, stamina, skills, and raw talent to make an impact.
