Unbeaten Teon Kennedy, of North Philadelphia, fights for the vacant USBA super bantamweight title when he meets Francisco Rodriguez, of Chicago, IL, in the scheduled 12-round main event Friday evening, Nov. 20, at the legendary Blue Horizon. The 23-year-old Kennedy, who won the 2004 National Golden Gloves flyweight championship, is coming off a controversial 10-round draw with Lante Addy, of Ghana, on Sept. 19 at Bally’s Atlantic City. Most observers—and one judge–felt Kennedy won clearly. Scores were 98-92 Kennedy and a pair of 95-95s.
A pro since 2007, Kennedy is 13-0-1, 5 K0s. He has beaten Castulo Gonzalez, Thomas Snow, Andre Wilson and Lucian Gonzalez.
Rodriguez, 25, is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. A pro since 2005, Rodriguez has a 14-2-1 record with eight knockouts. He has won his last three fights, but has not boxed since Dec. 12, 2008, when he earned an eight-round decision over Torrence Daniels, of Colorado Springs, CO, in Cicero, IL. Rodriguez also has beaten Angel Priolo and Alex Becerra.
Against common foes, Kennedy and Rodriguez each out-pointed Robert DaLuz, but Rodriguez was stopped by Andre Wilson, the same lefty Kennedy got off the floor against to out-point earlier this year at the Blue Horizon.
The big prize in this fight is not only the USBA belt, but a Top 15 world ranking by the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
The scheduled six-round heavyweight semifinal features Big John Poore, of Upper Darby, PA, against Jason Barnett, of St. Petersburg, FL. Poore, 38, is 21-3, 18 K0s; Barnett, 35, is 10-10, 4 K0s.
Five preliminary fights complete the show.
Tickets are priced at $45 and $60. They are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. (215-765-0922) or online at www.peltzboxing.com.
