Edwin Rodriguez to face James McGirt Jr. on Nov. 5 ShoBox

WORCESTER, Mass. (Oct. 20, 2010) - Red-hot, unbeaten super middleweight prospect Edwin "La Bomba" Rodriguez has been in Sydney, Australia since last Saturday to work as a sparring partner for contender Daniel Geale (23-1, 14 KOs), as the dangerous Dominican prepares for his November 5th main event fight against James McGirt on ShoBox: The New Generation, live from Fargo, North Dakota.

The DiBella Entertainment-promoted show will air on SHOWTIME starting at 11 ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Geale is training for his Oct. 31st IBF super middleweight title elimination bout in Australia versus former IBF middleweight champion Roman Karmazin. Rodriguez is sparring Down Under with two southpaws, Australian super middleweight titlist Michael Bolling (12-1, 10 KOs) and 2004 Australian Olympian Jamie "Mr. Business" Pittman (19-2, 8 KOs), to prepare for left-handed McGirt.

"It's a real step-up in class for Edwin," "Rodriguez' manager Larry Army noted. "McGirt is a seasoned veteran whose list of 25 opponents features only three with losing records. We're thrilled to be fighting in the main event on ShoBox. McGirt's tough but I don't know how long he'll be able to stand-up to Edwin's vicious body attack. This fight makes perfect sense. There's a lot at stake for both fighters: James needs a big win, Edwin needs a defining victory.

"Edwin's being treated like a king in Australia. He told me that he's never been treated as well in his life. In addition to the valuable experience he's gained by sparring with Geale, Edwin working every day with two good southpaws will really help to get him ready for McGirt, too."

McGirt is trained by his father, 2-time world champion and former Trainer of the Year, James "Buddy" McGirt. The younger James' pro career includes victories against Raymond Joval, Jason Naugler and Stephan Pryor, but also losses to Angel Hernandez and Carlos DeLeon, Jr.

Rodriguez, promoted by DiBella Entertainment, and McGirt have fought two common opponents - Brad Austin and Marcus Upshaw. Rodriguez knocked out Austin in the third round and won each round (6) for a unanimous decision versus Upshaw; McGirt easily won an 8-round decision (80-70, 79-71, 79-71) against Austin but fought to a 10-round draw with Upshaw (94-94, 94-94, 93-95).

Rodriguez is rated No. 4 by the NABF and NABO, while McGirt is ranked No. 7 and No. 11, respectively.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Edwin started boxing in 2001 and he developed into one of the top amateurs in the United States, compiling a splendid 84-9 record, including gold-medal performances in the 2005 USA Boxing National Championships and 2006 U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament. He became the first Massachusetts boxer to win the middleweight title at The Nationals since Marvin Hagler in 1973.

Go online to www.edwinrodriguezboxing.com for more information about the 25-year-old, recently married Rodriguez.