The rookie featherweight Eliesel “El Guardia” Rodriguez Ledesma wants to compete in the Riyadh Season boxing grand prix.
The 22 year old, from the Dominican Republic, is 2-0 (2 KOs) and is the cousin of the former 2008 Olympic gold medal winner Felix Diaz. Signed to Bobby Harrison’s BiYu Boxing Promotions in Houston, Ledesma could feature in the event that was announced at the WBC convention by the WBC’s Mauricio Sulaiman and Turki Alalshikh.
“We knew Eliesel was a very good fighter based on our research and his amateur career but even we have been surprised just how accomplished a boxer he is for his age,” Harrison said.
“He is very serious, very modest, very quiet and much more mature than his 22 years. It is very early days but I feel we have unearthed a real gem who has the tools and the talent to become a world champion.
“Having seen his first fight, he has agility, endurance, speed, strength, and power. He is also a switch-hitter with the ability to hit hard with both hands and from all angles.”
They are awaiting a decision to see if he will be given a spot in the featherweight version of the competition intended for novice professionals looking to break through. They regardless are also trying to line up a third fight so that he can continue to build his experience.
Ledesma joined the military at 16 and served for six years in the Dominican Republic Air Force as a paratrooper. He scored two quick wins against modest opposition. As an amateur, Ledesma was a three-time champion of the Copa Independienca, winning in 2019, 2021 and 2024.
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