They will be coming to see him Saturday night, at the 2300 Arena in Philly, and Darmani Rock the heavyweight prospect has eyes wide open.
He knows not everyone buying a ticket to see the 12-0 hitter face off with 23-5 underdog Pedro Rodriguez will be rooting for him to win.
“Even the people who want you to lose, they come too,” the 22 year old pugilist told me on Wednesday. And will he know who is who? “Sometimes people mask it,” he said, “but they’re not going to be able to hide forever.”
All in all, he’s not wasting extra energy on haters; Rock said that he’s pumped to fight in front of all persons on this Hard Hitta show, which will run on Facebook Fightnight Live.
The heavyweight said that he hasn’t watched tape of Rodriguez, a Cuban-Floridian, who has battled names like Olesandr Usyk. “I will be able to tell what to do in the first round. My expectations are, I love looking good, it ain’t just about getting the win. I’m willing to get ugly if I have to.” Dad Wiz Rock will be cornering him, fleshing out the game plan, he stated. “Have I watched tape? Nah. I’m just gonna do I do, just gonna do me!”
And no, he’s not rushing it. He said soon he will be moving into that contender category, but the Roc Nation fighter knows time is on his side, he’s young.
“I ain’t rushing it. I’m just climbing the ladder,” Rock said. “My prediction? Perform and go home with the W!”
Follow Michael Woods on Twitter for info on the Rock fight, and other bouts on the card he is headlining.
