Delvin Rodriguez came to Danbury at age nine, and he didn't feel comfortable until he discovered boxing.
"I didn't speak the language. I didn't know how to get around. I didn't have any friends," Rodriguez recalls, but while looking for a friend near Morris Street School, he discovered Hat City Boxing on New Street.
"I loved it as soon as I walked in the door. It looked like a playground," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez takes on Freddy Hernandez at 7:30 p.m. May 24 at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Hernandez is a former junior middleweight world title challenger. Rodriguez won a six-round brawl by technical knockout on Feb. 16 against formerly undefeated George "Comanche Boy" Tahdooahnippah. Delvon's record is 27-6-3, 15 KOs.
Rodriguez said Danbury is a safer city today than it was when he arrived in '89.
"Now I'd rather stay here. Every time I come back, I like it better," Rodriguez said. Rodriguez is working his way back into medal contention.
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