Wolak vs Rodriguez Rematch Official for Cotto vs Margarito Undercard

As previously rumored and reported, a rematch between Pawel Wolak and Delvin Rodriguez is lined up for the Cotto vs Margarito undercard on December 3, with only Rodriguez's signature left to make it 100% official. From Dan Rafael:

"The rematch is a little sooner than I wanted as I wanted a title to be in place first, but the fans deserve this and this is the right stage," Wolak told ESPN.com on Wednesday night after agreeing to the fight. "You know it will be another classic."

... "People want the fight. This fight needs no promotion," Rodriguez said. "Fighting under Cotto-Margarito, I know the crowd will be jumping. People have been waiting for this fight since right after the first fight. Everyone keeps asking, 'When is the rematch?' It's something people keep telling me about, something boxing needs."

Wolak (29-1-1, 19 KO) and Rodriguez (25-5-3, 14 KO) waged brutal war in a 10-round draw on the July 15 edition of Friday Night Fights, with each man going through hell for about a $20,000 purse. Rafael says that while specifics aren't known, they should each around close to six figures for this fight. Manager Cameron Dunkin says it will be a career-best payday for Wolak.

While this fight wasn't the original plan, it speaks to the spirit of both fighters that they're taking it on with nothing better lined up. Wolak desperately tried to get a title fight, particularly targeting Cornelius Bundrage, but it just didn't happen. The fight has come together because of the Rico Ramos vs Guillermo Rigondeaux fight meeting money issues and dropping off the card -- that bumped Wolak from a potential off-TV fight for small money, against a non-threatening opponent, to the main card.

And it's great for Rodriguez, who is a really good fighter who's had a hard-luck career thus far. He had arguments for wins in his losses to Ashley Theophane, Rafal Jackiewicz and Isaac Hlatshwayo (plus his draw with Hlatshwayo, which was so badly judged that the South African papers ripped the decision), and the draw with Wolak, which I personally scored 95-95 but felt if anyone had "won," it was Rodriguez.

Delvin is a very tough style matchup for the straight-ahead Wolak, and Pawel is taking a risk with this rematch. Rodriguez, who is promoted by Joe DeGuardia and thus does not have the big money behind him that Top Rank or Golden Boy fighters enjoy (or even DiBella/Shaw/Goossen/etc. fighters), is getting a break with the fight coming together, and it's about time he got a break.

I've got no doubt the fight will be another thriller, and a potential show-stealer on a card that is four-deep and could wind up being the best pay-per-view in years if all goes well.

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