/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1010396/uspw_6109854.jpg)
Super middleweights Edwin Rodriguez and Don George didn't come close to providing the fireworks they told fight fans to expect and in the end, put on a fairly sleepy fight won by Rodriguez on scores of 99-91, 97-93, and 96-94. Bad Left Hook had it 98-92 for Rodriguez.
[ Live Coverage: Martinez vs Macklin, Main Event Next ]
Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KO) was able to easily control the first few rounds by consistently pumping his jab out, often following it with a right to the body. This simple blueprint did the job before George (22-2-1, 19 KO) started to adjust and more effectively apply some pressure, at which point Rodriguez was able to mix it up a bit better, throwing combination punches and shutting down most of George's offensive output.
Rodriguez, 26, was effective but still didn't look like a real standout -- a solid prospect, but one wonders not so much what his next step is, but frankly if he has a next step in him. There's still a lot to wonder about after last year's disputed win over Will Rosinsky, scored an absurd shutout by the ringside judges, and a win over the limited George doesn't change that. This fight was never really about someone emerging as a real contender in the division, and that's not the outcome. It was more about a good TV fight. It wasn't terrible by any means, but I think it fell short of expectations.
Coming up next, the main event between middleweight world champion Sergio Martinez and Matthew Macklin.