The Neutral Corner

Rodriguez (left) and Hlatshwayo in their first fight in November

The IBF's #2 rated welterweight Delvin Rodriguez (24-2-2, 14KO) will take on IBF #3 Isaac Hlatshwayo (28-1-1, 10KO) for the vacant IBF welterweight championship on Saturday, August 1 at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Ct.

It's a rematch of their highly entertaining draw that took place in November in Hlatshwayo's home country of South Africa. Rodriguez actually dropped Hlatshwayo in the 9th, but that still wasn't enough to get the judges on his side.

Rodriguez promises to take the decision away from the judges on August 1.

"I know I am going to knock him out this time around so the scorecards won't matter," Rodriguez said in a statement. "I know that I can take his best punches and that he can not take mine. In the rematch I am going to go right at him from the opening bell until I knock him out."

Star Boxing's Joe DeGuardia, Rodriguez' promoter, also expects his fighter to put on a show.

"The first fight was a good fight, definitely worthy of a rematch," he said. "While I think its noteworthy that the press in South Africa thought Delvin won the fight, as did I, it is going to be a great rematch and I am looking forward to August 1st , not backward."

Photo credit: Star Boxing

- MARCUS HENRY