Nov 23, 2009 10:19 pm US/Central
'El Nino Azteka's' Death Stuns Boxing Ranks
Francisco Rodriguez Died Sunday, 2 Days After 10th Round KO Loss In Philadelphia
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Professional boxer Francisco Rodriguez died on Nov. 22, 2009, two days after a 10th round knockout loss to Teon Kennedy at Philadelphia's Blue Horizon.
CBS
A woman lost her husband. A baby lost her father. Chicago lost a pro boxer who was on the cusp of bigger success in his sport.
Francisco Rodriguez was well-known in Chicago Park District circles. The Garfield Park Field House on the West Side was one of his training homes. To the guy who runs the boxing program there, Rodriguez was like a son. To the kids learning the basics, he was a mentor. He will be missed by all.
Rodriguez was 14-2 going into a bout Friday against Teon Kennedy for the vacant USBA super bantamweight title. Rodriguez was a national Golden Gloves champion in 2001.
Known as "El Niño Azteka," you can see his pictures all around the Garfield Park ring. His story -- the kid who came from a family of boxers up through the ranks and went pro -- inspired other adults and kids at the gym.
Christian Carr looked up to him. He said, "He just taught you everything."
Trainer George Hernandez said, "He was a great kid." He knew Rodriguez in his earliest moments. And he was with him in his final moments of competition.
"It was a long fight," said Hernandez.
He said that in Philadelphia on Friday, Rodriguez took several blows to the head. He said a doctor checked him out, and Rodriguez told the physician he was 'ok.'
The fight went on, but in the 10th round, Rodriguez became weak.
"I could tell something was wrong," said Hernandez," I asked him how he felt. He said, 'sleepy.'"
They called for help, but Rodriguez was in bad shape. Promoter Dominic Pesoli said bleeding on the brain was what ultimately killed the 25 year old.
Hernandez, the man who watched Rodriguez grow up, said Rodriguez knew the dangers of the sport and accepted them. Hernandez said you have to, or you wouldn't box.
If you'd like to help the Rodriguez family, you can make a donation to the Francisco Rodriguez Estate fund at any Chase Bank location.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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