Cutman Mike Rodriguez has spent a lifetime in boxing corners, where every second counts and mistakes can cost a fighter dearly. But it’s not just the vital moments in the ring that define Rodriguez; it’s the lasting bonds and lessons learned that have shaped his career.
Rodriguez has worked with titleholders like Manny Pacquiao, Dmitry Bivol, Errol Spence, Shawn Porter, Jaime Munguia, Jaron Ennis, and Yordenis Ugas. His current roster includes Katie Taylor, Vergil Ortiz Jnr, Denys Berinchyk, Erickson Lubin and Eimantas Stanionis.
For Rodriguez, being a great coach or cutman isn’t just about technical skills – it’s about mastering the fundamentals, understanding a fighter’s mental state, and knowing your role within the team. Perhaps his ability to work as part of a team comes naturally, as does being in the “blood business.” Rodriguez has spent 37 years with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, including the last two decades as a homicide detective.
“A great coach is someone who pays attention and makes the fighter master the fundamentals – both physically and mentally,” Rodriguez told BoxingScene. “Just because someone is fast doesn’t mean they react quicker. John Wooden said it best: ‘Be fast, but don’t hurry.’ It’s not enough to be quick if you can’t effectively use the tools you’ve got.” His meticulous approach mirrors the precision needed in every corner. A coach, like a cutman, must understand the fighter inside and out.
Rodriguez learned this over years of working with boxing’s biggest names. From time spent with top trainers like Freddie Roach, Buddy McGirt, and Stephen “Breadman” Edwards, whom he considers family, he has soaked up knowledge he can apply to modern rising stars like Vergil Ortiz Jnr. His journey started when he first stepped into a boxing gym in Concord, California, under coach Terry Lee. He compares a boxing team to a NASCAR pit crew, where every member knows their role.
“The guy changing tires isn’t handling the fuel. That’s the best way I can describe a good team,” Rodriguez said. “As fight night approaches, the people who have access to the fighter should shrink. Everyone needs to know their role so the fighter has the best chance to win.”
Though boxing is a results-driven business, Rodriguez believes success goes beyond outcomes – it’s about building trust, proving your value, and becoming indispensable to the team. This mindset has helped him forge lasting bonds, particularly with former unified champion Julian Williams and Edwards, his trainer. Rodriguez joined their team during Williams’ fourth pro fight in December 2010 at Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California.
“We’ve been together for 14 years. Julian and Breadman are like family to me,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve stayed in each other’s homes, and our relationship has grown beyond boxing.”
Edwards recalls their first meeting.
“I met Mike Rodriguez through BoxRec,” Edwards said. “I saw his name as the manager for a fighter from California. I told him I wanted to match J-Rock with the kid because we were fighting at Chumash Casino. Mike laughed and said J-Rock would light the kid up but mentioned he also worked cuts. So I brought him on as our cutman, and we’ve been together ever since.”
Edwards, known as a trainer also has a popular weekly boxing column, praised Rodriguez beyond the typical credit given to cutmen.
“He’s probably the best cutman in boxing, and it’s symbolic to me that we started around the same time,” Edwards said. “Mike is like family. I trust him to not only do his job, but he knows me so well that during fight week, he instinctively knows what to do and what not to do. He’s a great man.”
Ortiz Jnr, a top contender at junior welterweight, is viewed by many as one of the sport’s future stars. Rodriguez joined Ortiz’s team for his fight against welterweight Michael McKinson, while giving full credit to Robert Garcia, Vergil Ortiz Snr and Hector Beltran, who also are a part of Ortiz’s team.
“I was brought in four fights ago to be Vergil Ortiz’s cutman,” Rodriguez said. “In the second round of our first fight together, Vergil got cut, and I was able to stop it. He ended up knocking the guy out in the 11th round. From that moment on, I earned my spot.”
According to Rodriguez, bonds like this are built on mutual respect and shared experiences.
“When you go to war with someone in the ring, that bond usually flourishes,” Rodriguez said. “It’s about proving yourself professionally, so they know if something happens to their face, you’ll get them through it.”
Even as one of boxing’s top cutmen, Rodriguez remains humble, giving credit to his peers in the industry.
“There’s mutual respect among us,” Rodriguez said. “There’s less politics at our level because we’ve proven ourselves. Too many people now try to be a gimmick. I always tell young cutmen, let your work speak for itself.”
Rodriguez speaks with admiration for Jacob “Stitch” Duran, as well as Rudy Hernandez, Danny Milano, Carlos Vargas and Joe Chavez, who laid the groundwork for his career. His career isn’t just about patching up cuts – it’s about forming unbreakable bonds, knowing your role, and mastering the fundamentals. After all, as Rodriguez says, “the devil is in the details.”
Mike Bazzel recalls the first time he met cutman Mike Rodriguez during a tough fight between his fighter Bruno Escalante and Matthew Villanueva at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City, California. Escalante, despite being hurt, battled through eight rounds, cutting Villanueva over the eye early in the fight. The cut was deep and in a difficult spot, but Rodriguez managed to stop the bleeding, allowing Villanueva to keep fighting and win the fight.
“I remember after the fight, both fighters were battered,” Bazzel said. “It was Bruno’s toughest fight, but Mike stopped that cut, and it was an incredible job. I went up to him and told him, ‘Man, we tried to get Bruno to go after that cut, but you pulled it together. I’ve got to commend you, that was a wonderful job.'”
That moment sparked a friendship and mutual respect. “Mike is world-class,” Bazzel added. “When something bad happens in the ring, he’s the guy who will make sure your fighter can keep going. A world-class fighter needs a world-class cut man, and Mike brings that.”
His success earned him a high-profile client – Katie Taylor. This means that once again, come November 16 in Texas, Rodriguez will square off with Bazzel.
“Let me give you an example. I’m now working with Katie Taylor, and I give my good friend Mike Bazzel credit,” Rodriguez said. “He was double-booked, and I worked with Katie. Now, Katie’s fighting Amanda Serrano. Mike works with Amanda, so now I’m working with Katie, and Mike’s working with Amanda for the rematch. This is one of the biggest women’s fights ever.”
Rodriguez has passed on the crew to his son Andrew, who is now a veteran and respected cut man in his own right. Andrew has worked with Stanionis, a current titleholder amongst other various professionals. Rodriguez has a career goal though as he has worked with 27 titleholders, but aims to work with many more.
“I think a realistic goal at this point might be 40,” Rodriguez said. “Because world champions don’t grow on trees.”
Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.