Undefeated super middleweight contender Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs) is ready, willing and able to replace #1 contender Anthony Dirrell, who was recently injured in a motorcycle accident, and fight #2 rated Nikola Sjekloca for the vacant WBC 168-pound title. Sjekloca and Dirrell, who is out of action for a reported six months, were ordered to fight for the WBC title, after Andre Ward was declared “Champion in Recess.”
“This is why I signed with Lou DiBella,” Rodriguez said from Andy Lee’s training camp where he is sparring with the Irish middleweight contender. “It’s my time and I’m ready to replace Dirrell against Sjekloca. If anybody can get this opportunity for me it’s Lou.”
Sjekloca (24-0, 7 KOs), a 33-year-old Serbian who lives in Montenegro, has fought only once outside of Montenegro and Serbia, in 2010 against 8-24 Artem Vychkin in a win by six-round decision. The lone opponent of note Sjekloca has fought is four-time world title challenger and former European champion Khoren Gevor. “We’re ready for the best but it looks like Ward’s moving up in weight and (Lucian) Bute’s tied-up with (Carl) Froch,” Rodriguez’ manager Larry Army noted. “Right now, though, Edwin has earned a world title shot and we’re confident he’s ready to fight and beat Sjekloca.”
