Most boxers set a goal to capture a title at some point in their career. Next Saturday night at the Isle of Capri Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, Cuban heavyweight Rafael Pedro gets his chance. Pedro will challenge Frank Wood (24-3) for his Mid South Heavyweight Title.
A few years ago, boxing was the last thing on Pedro’s mind, as he was growing up in Havana, Cuba. With the troubles of living in a communist country surrounding him, Pedro decided to flee the country for the freedoms of the United States. Armed with nothing but hope and a make-shift raft, Pedro set sail from the Cuban coast. Days later, he washed upon the beaches of Miami, only to be met by the U.S. Coast Guard. He was then taken to a holding camp for 6 months before he got his citizenship papers. Pedro made his way to Mobile, AL and hooked up with a boxing trainer who threw him into fights that he wasn’t ready for, mostly because of his massive 6'6" 250lb frame. Pedro made it out of his first 3 fights with a 2-1 record, getting by on heart and brute power.
Pedro then hooked up with his current managers, PJ and Damien St.Pierre, and has dominated the southern heavyweight division, going 17-2-1 under their guidance. Working with top promoters such as Les Bonano and Jimbo Stevenson, Team Pedro has appeared in the main events of local shows and in undercard bouts on PPV shows including Mike Tyson vs Cliff Etienne.
Rafael Pedro was kind enough to invite gulfcoastboxing.com into his camp and share his thoughts.
How has training gone?
Training has gone very good, I am trying to get over a cold right now, but I have been in the gym since we got the call for this fight. I see this as the most important fight of my career so far, and I feel as though I’m in the best shape of my life.
What do you know about Frank Wood?
I don’t know much about him. I hear he is tough and likes to come forward a lot.
Wood is your toughest opponent on paper at least, and your first title shot, does that fact make you feel any different coming into this fight?
It just makes me work harder in the gym, and makes me want to win more. I think just looking at his record makes me want to beat his ass more. I’m so focused. I’ve been waiting for this chance my whole career. Since day one, I’ve been busting my ass for a title shot. Now I have that chance, and I’m determined to bring the title home with me.
Frank Wood just knocked out Wade Lewis, a fighter you beat already. Frank knocked him out, does that worry you?
No, it doesn’t worry me at all. I heard Wade Lewis took that fight on a week’s notice. The two times I fought Lewis he had over a month to get ready. Wade is a good fighter and from what I heard, he was beating Frank Wood until he ran out of gas. If Frank Wood thinks I’ll run out of gas, he’s out of his mind. We’re only going 10 rounds, but I’m ready to go twenty.
What’s next for you?
Right now, there is nothing planned. I am not looking past Frank Wood. I have a job to do next weekend, and that is to beat Frank Wood. Come talk to me after the fight and I will let you know what is next.
Anything you would like to add?
I would like to thank gulfcoastboxing.com for coming in and doing a story on me, and I would like to thank all my fans for the support. I look forward to seeing and more importantly, hearing my fans Saturday Night in Biloxi.
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You can get tickets to the Pedro/Wood fight by calling the Isle of Capri Casino in Biloxi, MS.
“Take it outside” will be promoted by Prize Fight Promotions and Bayou Promotions, and it will feature 7 other bouts besides the Pedro/Woods clash. Appearing on the card is top rated women’s super middleweight “Brown Sugar” Anne Wolfe (18-1), “Total Package” Dupre Strickland (14-1-1), and heavyweight Adam Richards (4-1).
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