Theophane getting closer to treasure

London's Ashley "Treasure" Theophane locks horns with USBA welterweight champion and IBF number three Delvin Rodriguez at the Buffalo Run Casino Oklahoma on Friday 30th July 2010 which will be live on ESPN2 in America and, according to a press release, also be live on ESPN in the UK.

Delvin Rodriguez challenged for a world title last year but came up short against Isaac Hlayshwayo who was knocked out in his first defence by current IBF world champion Jan Zaveck. Rodriguez has picked up good solid wins against Oscar Diaz, Shamone Alvarez and Mike Arnaoutis but has failed to take opportunities against beatable fighters like Rafal Jackiewicz and Isaac Hlayshwayo who trouble him with their attacking style.

Theophane won the IBO International welterweight title in Munich, Germany with a points win on June 19th. Itinerant Brit Theophane has notched up good wins against former world champion Demarcus "Chop Chop" Corley, former Commonwealth champion Craig Docherty and former English champion Alan Bosworth.

Rodriguez is in training camp in Catskills, NY andTheophane is at Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn where he has been sparring with IBF number five Luis Carlos Abregu (29-1) who lost his unbeaten record to Timothy Bradley recently.

Rodriguez has the edge in big fight experience but is he war torn or has he got more in the tank to outpoint Theophane? This match up is interesting on many levels as they sparred together in training camp 30 months ago. The winner will hope to move onto a world title shot against IBF titlist Jan Zaveck or IBO holder Lovemore Ndou.