(JAN 18) Two of the best little giants in female boxing meet when Wendy Rodriguez and Carina Moreno meet in Louisiana.

Rodriguez, a Southern Californian, will match talent with Northern California’s Moreno for the NABA light flyweight title at the Coushatta Casino and Resort in Kinder, Louisiana in a 10-round bout on Saturday, Jan. 21. The California civil war ironically taking place in the South will not be televised.

It’s experience versus power, though at 27 years old, Rodriguez still has plenty of fight left in her.

“I want to fight for a long time,” said Rodriguez (16-2-3, 2 Kos), who had announced her retirement last year because of inability to grab a fight. “I really like fighting in the ring.”

Rodriguez, a native of Los Angeles, has captured four world titles and aims to take a fifth when she jumps in the ring against Moreno. It won’t be easy.

“She goes forward. I heard she is always going forward and she’s a smart fighter,” said Rodriguez, who has more pro experience but acknowledges that Moreno has overall experience. “I fought like six bouts as amateur. She has around 40 bouts.”

Moreno, 24, whose jackrabbit ascent to the top of the female boxing world has been impressive, did not want the fight at first. But her competitive spirit juiced her up for the call.

“I was a little reluctant because I wanted more fights before fighting someone like Wendy,” Moreno (8-0, 3 Kos) said by telephone. “But last year, I really had a slow year. We started thinking that nobody would fight me because of my amateur experience.”

Moreno’s last fight was a unanimous decision over former world champion Yvonne Caples of Las Vegas. A number of other engaging fights evaporated like so many female bouts last year.

One anxiously awaited clash that never happened occurred when three prospective bouts with Julie Rubalcava evaporated. In one instance Moreno was less than an hour away from entering the ring when she got the word.

“It was the second (proposed) fight. It was a problem with the blood work,” said Moreno who fought internationally as an amateur out of Watsonville, California. “I was really pumped up. That was real disappointing going into the arena and people were telling me good luck. They didn’t know the fight was canceled.”

Rick Noble, who trains Moreno, said his fighter usually proves too much of everything for opponents.

“She has more speed and power,” Noble said of Moreno.

Before stepping into the ring with Rodriguez, Noble said that his protégé sparred with elite fighters Elena “Baby Doll” Reid and Melissa Cooper in Las Vegas.

“It’s a good confidence booster,” Noble said. “The fight will go the distance but Carina will win.”

Rodriguez has been fighting for seven years and has fought a number of elite fighters. Her assets are tact and guile.

“Carina is a real good fighter she has a lot of amateur experience. She’s a very good boxer. I like her technique. I saw her do one round with Elena Reid. That doesn’t tell me much. It was an exhibition against a southpaw. I don’t know what she is going to be like against a right-handed fighter,” Rodriguez said while resting after a work out at South El Monte Boxing gym. “I’ll fight whoever.”

To prepare for her upcoming bout Rodriguez worked with former world champion Mariana Juarez who also has a very aggressive style.

“Mariana did me a favor and gave me real good work,” said Rodriguez, who also sparred at Azteca Gym. While at South El Monte she also worked with a speedy 16-year-old who seemed bent on taking her head off during sparring sessions.

“He doesn’t hold back,” said Ben Lira, who supervises the gym and trains Juarez, “He’s just one of those kind of kids that wants to show you who’s boss.”

A scintillating six round session with the youngster left bystanders gasping at the speed and power of the punches the boy was attempting to land on Rodriguez. But time after time she slipped, blocked or countered the overzealous customer.

“It’s kind of scary with him,” said Rodriguez. “He’s so quick.”

It’s the enticements of fighting in the ring in front of thousands of people that give Rodriguez that tingle of excitement.

“I want another title,” she says almost embarrassed.

Last year was a slow year for all female fighters, especially for elite fighters such as Rodriguez and Moreno. The New Year begins with a champagne cork popper right out of the gate.

Moreno, who has never been to Louisiana, anxiously awaits her first foray into Dixieland.

“It’s always exciting going into a new place,” Moreno said. “She’s fought there twice so they might know her.”

The veteran Rodriguez does know what to expect from competitors young and old at the championship level.

“Everybody is going to be coming after you,” said Rodriguez. “I love it.”