DONATE TO HELP HONOR FALLEN BOXER FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ

Posted on | December 9, 2009 | No Comments

By Tony Penecale:

When I get fight articles from other writers, I usually only share them with others in the boxing community or other fans. I felt the need to share this one with a broader range of people as it truly is a heart-breaking story. I’ve known the author for a number of years as he spends every free moment in the sport of boxing and makes the Marian Anderson Recreation Center in South Philly (my old boxing gym) his home away from home.

When the sad news came out about the death of Francisco Rodriguez in a boxing match in Philadelphia, it hit harder than usual. Being involved so closely in the sport, I read about other boxing-related injuries or fatalities, many in places like Indonesia or Japan, and sometimes even in the Unite States but far away like Texas or California. This one being in Philadelphia really hurt. I was supposed to be at the Blue Horizon to see this fight live. Thankfully another commitment kept me from going.

I was at an amateur show at Lock Haven University in 1997 when a young man went down and suffered an epileptic fit. It occured during the afternoon prelim card and I was sitting front row when it happened. I’ll never forget the fear and panic as the doctors worked on him and seeing him carried from the ring on a stretcher being administered oxygen. And then having to climb in that same ring and do battle just a few hours later was extremely unnerving.

I never had the opportunity to meet Francisco Rodriguez but he was a boxer for all the right reasons, the main one being to provide a good life for his young daughter. Unfortunately, I never will have a chance to meet him. RIP Frankie.

HERE IS THE ARTICLE:

“THE MOUTHPIECE” TRIBUTE TO FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ

HERE IS HOW TO HELP:

Donate at least one dollar , the cost of a cup of coffee to:

The Francisco Rodriguez Fund – c/o National Republic Bank of Chicago
1201 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60607
Telephone: (312) 738-4900

Drop a check or money order in the mail for any amount.

Please pass this article to all of your friends and encourage them to do the same.