Rodriguez Dominates Escalera, Calls out Pavlik

The MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT hosted the fall premiere of HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” series Saturday night. In the main event, undefeated super middleweight Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez stayed that way by stopping super game Jason Escalera in round eight. Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) came out fast. His right hand found Escalera’s body and chin a dozen times in the first two minutes of the round. Escalera, who lost for the first in his career, wobbled around the ring. He fired a few punches in return, but continued to eat right hands. Rodriguez fought more controlled in round two. The resilient Escalera (13-1, 12 KOs) did a little better, but Rodriguez continued to land his right to the body. Rodriguez found a home for his left hook in round four. At the end of round five, Rodriguez caught Escalera with a huge right hand on the temple. Escalera staggered against the ropes. Rodriguez continued to land hard punches in rounds six and seven. At the end of the seventh stanza, referee Steve Smoger eyed Escalera closely. The young fighter was hurting. Twelve seconds into round eight, referee Smoger stopped the bout after a Rodriguez left hook cut Escalera‘s ear.