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November 26th, 2009 | by Coyote Duran, Sr. Editor
 Photo courtesy of Mike Baluk Of the 18 fights in Francisco Rodriguez’ career, all but one were fought in his adopted home of Chicago, Illinois. The exception, Rodriguez’ final battle, was fought at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia on November 22. It would be a tragic anomaly to an all too short career and a life that barely enjoyed its dawn.
It was the first 12-rounder for Rodriguez, 25, who faced North Philly native Teon Kennedy, 23, for the USBA junior featherweight title. It was to be the beginning of a journey in championship contention borne from the hard work every young fighter promises to dedicate life and blood to.
For Rodriguez, 14-3 (8) at the time of his passing, that hard work included an amateur record totaling 76-6 with five Chicago Golden Gloves Championships and a National Golden Gloves title in 2001. On January 14, 2005, the fighter affectionately known as “Paco” made his professional debut in a venue he’d grow increasingly familiar with, Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom; notching a third-round TKO win over Lashaun Blair.
As with any young fight newbie, Rodriguez was very active from the get-go, fighting six times in 2005. Taking it a little easy in ’06, he fought only twice but picked up the pace in ’07 and ’08, fighting four times each year.
One of those 2008 fights proved to be the benchmark of Rodriguez’ career. On May 9th, “El Nino Azteca” faced Angel Priolo, dispatching him in three rounds of a scheduled eight-rounder. Rodriguez’s victory earned him contextual kudos for in Priolo’s next fight, the Colombian tested THE RING magazine World Junior Featherweight Champion Israel Vazquez in “Magnifico’s” first fight since his rubbermatch against Rafael Marquez, before succumbing in nine.
Despite coming back from the longest layoff in his career (11 months) against Kennedy, 14-0-1 (6), Rodriguez was no less the gutsy warrior. However, Kennedy, the hometown favorite had much to prove to his crowd and a zero to protect. He came out the stronger fighter from the opening bell.
Because Rodriguez took a pounding and got shook in the first round, referee Benjy Esteves curiously delivered a standing eight-count to “Paco,” although not official in the state of Pennsylvania. According to Esteves, from his vantage point, Rodriguez was saved by the ropes on his way down. Other ringside observers begged to differ.
But coming out for round two was not unlike any other subsequent round for Rodriguez. All fire. All toe-to-toe. And even though Kennedy led on all three scorecards upon entering the tenth stanza, Rodriguez kept coming. But Kennedy’s torrential barrages were enough to compel Esteves to stop the fight at 1:52 of round 10.
When Rodriguez returned, with assistance, to his corner after the stoppage, he complained about being “sleepy.” Rodriguez then collapsed in his corner and was soon rushed to Hahnemann University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a brain bleed. Rodriguez would remain in a coma for two days until his family capitulated for him.
Still, Rodriguez hadn’t the heart to quit.
Despite cleanly passing pre-fight physicals, the accumulated punishment was too much for Rodriguez to bear although Dr. Jonathan Levyn, the Pennsylvania-appointed ringside physician, confirmed Rodriguez answered every question throughout the fight, confirming his competence to continue.
The loss hit local favorite Rita Figueroa especially hard, specifically since “La Guera” had been in a very similar situation two weeks earlier.
Figueroa, 10-2-1 (3), who dropped a unanimous, hard-fought, six-round decision loss to Kita Watkins at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion on November 6th, was precariously close to a similar fate when, after her fight, she began vomiting in her locker room. Figueroa’s quick-thinking camp leapt into action, taking her to the nearby UIC Medical Center for a CT scan and emergency surgery for a ruptured vein. Although recovering at home, Figueroa’s thoughts go into overdrive when she thinks about the variables that contributed to Rodriguez’ untimely passing.
“I have very mixed feeling regarding Francisco’s situation. I can ask ‘Why?’ over and over. Why let me stay and take him?” Figueroa asks. “I have no answers and can only say I was very fortunate and my heart goes out to his family. ‘Paco’s’ passing makes me realize everyday how fortunate I am and blessed that ‘Team La Guera’ did everything perfect to get me this outcome.”
Figueroa continues, “I believe they saved my life as they called a neurosurgeon friend of ours that had the surgeon waiting for me when we made it the short distance to the hospital. My husband, Mike, (trainer) Sam Colonna, Greg Znajda and Angela Gibson…I can never repay them. I also feel that ‘Paco’s’ injuries may have been much worse as he lost consciousness and I was pretty alert up until the surgery. I sure wish things for him were different for him and his family. I will do whatever I can to help his family.”
There’s no doubt as to what lies ahead when Figueroa reflects on her own brush with danger.
“My future plans will change due to the surgery. I will slow down a bit…enjoy my family and friends without rushing through my days,” says Figueroa. “We all take things for granted rather than enjoying the ‘simple’ things which I plan to do much more of.”
“Do I still love boxing? Damn right I do! But my days of sparring and competing are over. I will get back in the gym as soon as I am able to hit bags, pads or whatever and assist in some training, but can no longer afford to do anything more.” Figueroa adds.
In the deep, unified spirit of Chicago-area boxing, Figueroa is also helping to bring people together in hopes of raising money for Rodriguez’ family, which includes his widow, Sonia and his five-month old daughter, Ginette. Chicago promoter 8 Count Productions has spearheaded a fund-raising effort as well.
What’s haunting and profound, at the same time, is that shortly after Rodriguez’ passing, his vital organs were donated to eight different recipients, including his own uncle, who was in dire need of a kidney transplant. Suddenly, the term “sports hero” has never had a deeper or truer meaning.
As the Chicago boxing scene mourns for a fallen crowd favorite, solace can be found in simply knowing that new mornings will be enjoyed by those whose very lives Francisco Rodriguez has saved and improved, not to mention one Rita Figueroa.
On this day, that’s a bounty to be thankful for.
For information on how to donate to the Francisco Rodriguez fund, please contact/send donations to:
The Francisco Rodriguez Fund
C/o National Republic Bank of Chicago
1201 W. Harrison St., Chicago, Illinois 60607
Or please call 1-312-738-4900
You can also visit any local branch of Chase Bank and directly donate to:
The Francisco Rodriguez Estate Fund Account
#707331062
The Chicago Boxing Club and JABB gym, in conjunction with MDEcoPro E-waste Recycling and Fundraiser, are also doing their part and collecting old phones and ink cartridges to raise money for the Rodriguez family.
For more donation information, please contact The Chicago Boxing Club at 1-773-801-1300 or visit them at www.chicagoboxingclub.com. You can contact the JABB gym by calling 1-312-733-5222 or by visiting their website www.jabbboxing.com.
This entry was posted on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 4:06 AM.
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November 26th, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Thanks for the nice read, Coyote! I wish Francisco’s family comfort and wonderful memories to sustain them through this terrible time of grieving. Blessings to them and their extended boxing family.
Regards,
Juan
November 26th, 2009 at 12:18 PM
God Bless the family. My heart truly goes out to them. Thanksgiving has never had more meaning than today. Please everyone do what you can to help the Rodriguez family!
Thanks Coyote!