(JUNE 3) NEW YORK CITY – New York City police officer and celebrated amateur boxer, Nisa Rodriguez (1-0, 0 KOs), is excited to be boxing on National Puerto Rican Day this Saturday at home in Madison Square Garden Theater.

Rodriguez, 33, faces Jordanne Garcia (4-3, 3 KOs), of Albuquerque (NM), in a four-round bout on a Top Rank card, headlined by Xander Zayas vs. Patrick Teixera, and Nisa’s fight will be streamed live on ESPN2.

An eight-time New York Daily News Golden Gloves Champion, as well as a six-time Metro Championships winner and two-time Empire State and Caribbean and Central Americano gold medalist, Rodriguez is equally thrilled to be fighting in her “house.”

“For me,” Rodríguez said, “Puerto Rican Day (in NYC) goes back to Miguel Cotto, who was my guy. First, he was a brawler, then a boxer, and he had Puerto Rican pride. Even ’Tito’ (Felix Trinidad), I was young (when ‘Tito’ fought in NYC on Puerto Rican Day), maybe 15 or 16, and I didn’t start boxing in the Golden Gloves until I was 17. Then it was my era. I grew up with so many Puerto Rican fighters. I knew Juan LaPorte, but I really didn’t know him until I was older. And I remember Amanda Serrano fighting on Puerto Rican Day.

“I fought on one big card, the 360 Promotions show, and now I’m on a Top Rank card. Top Rank is a household name and I’m fighting once again at Madison Square Garden. Boxing is small and I’m fortunate to be fighting on this card.”

Rodriguez, of course, is juggling her career as a police officer and professional boxer. Because of her time restrictions, Nisa’s manager, Keith Sullivan, and head trainer Jimmy Sosa break down her opponents to plan a strategy that she follows. And Team Rodriguez has quickly realized it’s difficult to find opponents for a boxer with Nisa’s accomplishments and amateur experience for a professional with only one fight to date.

“Keith Sullivan had a hard time finding me an opponent (March 15, 2024 vs. Jozette Cotton) for my first fight,” Rodriguez noted. “I heard he went through 13 girls for my first fight. They wanted a purse for a four-round bout that you’d get for an eight-rounder. Even when they agreed, some still wouldn’t sign the contract. I was surprised Keith got me this opponent (so far ahead of the fight).”

Sullivan also manages reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight World Champion Miyo Yoshida (17-4, 0 KOs) and Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor (4-0, 2 KOs), in addition to co-managing World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 11-rated welterweight contender Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, 11 KOs), the reigning WBA Continental Champion from Limerick, Ireland. Sullivan co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee.

“I was working on matching Nisa for this fight about 10 minutes after she won her pro debut,” Sullivan added. “I started texting coaches from the venue to line up a formidable opponent. Nisa is getting in with a more experienced and higher ranked boxer. However, given her extensive and outstanding amateur career, we don’t plan on taking the slow train to a world title. I am thankful to Top Rank for putting us on what is going to be a great night of boxing in New York City.”

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