Back in the day, in
Buenos Aires, Argentina, I used to watch a TV series called Campeones (de la
vida) –Champions (of life)-. Such series was about a boxer and his underworld,
those around him and other fellow pugilists as well who went through difficult
times and where constantly tested by life’s harsh reality while trying to
succeed.
Today I have to say
that I know somebody who showed that it is possible to be a champion of life,
and that any given moment could turn into the test of a lifetime.
Before January 2012,
David “El Niño” Rodríguez had everything to be considered one of the hottest
heavyweight boxers of the world. With 36 victories, no losses and 34 KO, El
Niño was ready to take the top. But all of a sudden, life struck him hard.
Yes, life, the
streets’ harsh reality, showed David a very ugly side. At the very beginning of
2012, Rodríguez and a friend were cowardly attacked by criminals outside a
pizzeria in Scottsdale Arizona. Such attack left David with a deep and severe
cut in the left side of his face, a cut that was inches away of becoming life
threatening.
David bled profusely
and got around 300 stitches –outside and inside his left cheek- as a
consequence.
After such incident
happened, gossips started right away. As always in these cases I had the chance
to read those pessimistic –unfortunately with an interesting number of
followers- commentators/ bloggers / now-and-then reporters speculating about
David’s future. For some, he wouldn’t fight for the rest of the year, for
others, his career was over, for all of them, it was all blurry and dark in “El
Niños’s” future.
And what did David do?
He answered the best way a real fighter would, proving them all wrong by
getting back to business right away. Already recovering from his wounds, Rodríguez
started going to the gym again, looking as impressive and happy as always, and
I had the chance not only to talk to him but also to share some laughs and be
motivated by his words of hope and determination.
“I am truly blessed. I
really think that he –the criminal who attacked him with a knife- aimed to my
jugular. I am lucky and thankful because I am alive. I am counting my blessings
and moving forward already,” he said while getting ready for another set
of reps –he was training chest and
shoulders-.
For those speculating
with his return to the rings, there is a clear message; “Of course I need to
recover and now I cannot receive any punch in my face, but by May I will be
ready to fight professionally again.”
Of course, among those
speculating about David’s health are those speculating about David’s boxing
abilities and determination. Well, there is a clear answer for that as well. By
the end of June 2011, after knocking out former WBA Champion Owen “What The
Heck” Beck, “El Niño” officially challenged both Klitschko brothers, Vitaly and
Vladimir, holders of the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF belts –for those who don’t
know, they have both been dominant in the heavyweight division for the last
several years- for a title shot that he rightfully deserves because of his
impressive record -36 victories, 34 KO’s- and because he is a top ten. He also
has already broken Mike Tyson’s record for first round knockouts and has the
tools and skills to bring the heavyweight title back to the U.S.
According to legendary
trainer and cut-man Rafael García, who is currently working “El Niño’s” corner,
“David has the power, speed and attitude required to be the heavyweight’s
sensation.”
Again, as an epilogue
to this article, I remember that TV series, Champions of life. One of the main
characters used to say something that got deep into my heart. “It is when we
face a serious problem that we are presented with the chance of bringing out
the best of ourselves, and it is because of this that we become better persons,
because we have what it takes to move forward, to get ready for the life’s next
challenges.”
Having the chance to
see David Rodríguez moving forward, laughing, training, living, enjoying and
counting his blessings, made me remember how important it is to move forward,
to keep on going, and to always know how to get up even after falling really
hard.
If before the end of
2011 David Rodríguez had everything to be considered one of the hottest
heavyweight boxers of the world, now, in 2012, after a life changing experience,
he surely is the one who has not only the tools and skills but also the
motivation to take over the kingdom of heavyweight boxing. After all, he has
already become a “Champion of Life.”
This year can
eventually become “El Niño’s” brightest boxing year, a year when many so called
critics would probably have to zip it and finally admit the obvious, that David
has always had what it takes to become the next heavyweight ruler.
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