Angel Dominguez/THE WATCHER
[email protected] |Ensenada, BC
It is said that if you want to live, get out of your comfort zone and that was precisely the decision that has Imanol Rodríguez Pillado tracing his path in search of becoming a boxing figure.
Barely two years ago, the agenda of the ??Himan?? His priorities were to qualify for the Olympic Games in the discipline of Sambo and debut professionally in Mixed Martial Arts.
After analyzing the advice of his godfather Iván Vélez during the pandemic, and taking advantage of the teachings of Joe ??Pichón?? González, was ready to turn his career around.
After eight fights in the amateur arena, from which he came out with his arm raised, on November 27 at Big Punch Arena in Tijuana, in his presentation in paid boxing, he defeated Juan Chávez by knockout in the first round. .
His second test will be next Saturday, February 5, in Ensenada, within the Super Flyweight division.
Rodríguez Pillado, multi-medallist in the National Judo Olympics, also experienced moments of glory in the Pan American and Central American championships in which he successfully defended the colors of Mexico, as well as in the World Sambo Championships held in Uzbekistan -juvenile-, South Korea -adults-, and Russia -European-, hanging silver and bronze.
The man from Ensenada also participated in Jiu Jitsu, MMA from the age of 16, and obtained a national title in Kick Boxing, as well as another in Muay Thai.
??In Russia I was going for a world championship, the problem was that a day before, already in weight and everything, they canceled the fight due to the pandemic and, since borders were being closed and there would be no shows, we returned to Ciudad de Mexico to continue working??, he commented.
For six months, ??Himan?? Rodríguez trained in the Dominican Republic, South Korea, Uzbekistan and Russia, the country where he stayed most of the time.
??We began to focus on boxing, we were training in several gyms, including Romanza de Ignacio Beristain, sparring with high-level boxers, although I think I didn’t learn anything that they hadn’t taught me here,?? he said.
Rodríguez Pillado, added that ????Pichón?? -José González Valenzuela- is the best coach I can have right now, more than anything because of the spirit he gives everyone, he creates his own personality for each one and makes him stand up on his own, you won’t find that anywhere else, he was the first to notice that I had potential in boxing, he pushed me to keep going, that ended up convincing me and I know that there are still many details that I need to polish.
??None of us is struggling, we all worry about going for a run, about eating well, healthy, I have not had to see someone who does not make weight or who is misguided,? he stressed.
In his adventure through the Mexican capital, ??it was difficult for me because people did not help me, in sports, as in life, there is a lot of envy, when you want to grow, no matter how many qualities you have, the one who is next to you You will not want to help you?
??Almost always they made me fight heavier fighters and sometimes I was regretting it, because I had never felt such a hard punch, I thought it was useless for boxing and I realized how crafty people are, here in Ensenada we all know each other, but there, being a light flyweight, they put you in front of a bantamweight and there is a lot of difference in the hitting??, he explained.
Among Imanol’s teammates in Team Pichón González, the names of Daniel ??Alemán?? Garcia, Axel ??Mini?? Vega, Alfredo ??King?? Mejía and Gael Valdez, among others.
??They are all my friends, examples to follow and we know that we must focus to avoid what is outside the ring, parties, distractions, extra-sports, because we are starting a career that requires sacrifices,?? he emphasized.
That seed that the mentor has sown, has allowed to form a true family within its facilities.
??I have been in well-known gyms, but the only thing that changes are the luxuries, I believe that a true champion is made wherever he wants, in my case, I am surrounded by champions who offer me their hand and have the same purpose,?? .
The man from Buenos Aires, who is about to start his studies in International Trade and Customs, added that he had already thought about entering boxing, however, he could not find a date, since the agenda was full, until they left giving things and we find the moment??.
??In the beginning, the adaptation of Judo or Sambo to Boxing is very difficult, since for me it was like starting over, used to being among the best and here I came to ??chop stone??, coupled with the fact that the emotional part I played a lot, because I didn’t feel the same satisfaction,?? he said.
Upon returning to Ensenada, “I talked with my godfather, who sees things from the outside, what is best for us as a team, and he told me that in boxing we could do better in all aspects.”
??Many people, including my family, do not believe that I am standing in a ring, which is very different from an octagon and that motivates me to demonstrate my scope; going up to fight is the same everywhere, you carry the emotional process and it is a sport in which you risk your life and the differences with martial arts is that you must make adjustments in the way you train, when standing, concentration and warm-up , that is different??, he pointed out.
The former champion of Guerra en la Frontera and Guerra en el Puerto, announced that, ??in a pandemic we do not stop, only at Christmas and New Year and despite the fact that the dream of being an MMA fighter has not been erased, currently we do not I see myself going to Sambo competitions??.
Imanol Rodríguez will be part of the billboard promoted by Round Promotions to be held on Saturday, February 5.
??I must win my first five fights by knockout to start thinking about more demanding rivals to climb the rankings, obviously, with all the dedication, since the objective is the same, to be world champion, but we will go step by step , there is no hurry?, he assured.
Imanol ??Himan?? Rodríguez Pillado, along with Isaac Núñez, Iván ??Choko´ Castillo, the Aguilar Delgadillo brothers. Rosman Verdugo, Ernesto ??Stallion?? Ibarra, Cristian ??Púas?? Pérez, to name a few, are the ??face?? of the company Edson INC, called the brand of champions.
??They have brought us together in a house, we have sat down to talk, to share plans and it is a pride to be with these dedicated, responsible people, quality people, students and athletes, all drug-free,?? he concluded.
PHRASE
??I am very grateful to Joe González and his brother Raúl, who have opened the doors of the gym to us and have treated us excellently, they have never charged us anything and they helped me prepare for the World Cup.??
Imanol Rodriguez Pillado
FILE:
Name: Imanol Rodriguez Pillado
Date of birth: November 15, 1999
Place of birth: Cove, B.C.
