By Thomas Gerbasi

Don’t call it a comeback, because Delvin Rodriguez never retired. Despite being on the sidelines since a lopsided decision loss to Erislandy Lara in June of 2015, the longtime welterweight and junior middleweight contender wasn’t ready to call it quits. In fact, the 36-year-old was hoping for a quick return after the bout.

“I wanted a fight right away, honestly,” he said. “If you look at what’s been happening for the past three years, I’m not getting enough fights. When I fought Lara, I was off a year and a month. So coming off that and to get back in rhythm to fight is almost impossible.”

And if you’re not sharp against someone like Lara, you don’t win, a fact Rodriguez found out the hard way. He knew it though, as his plan after drawing with Joachim Alcine in May of 2014 was to get two fights then look for a big name. That didn’t happen, and when approached with a WBA world title shot against the Cuban, he couldn’t turn it down.

But now, as he makes his return to the ring this Saturday against once-beaten Shawn Cameron at Mohegan Sun in his Connecticut backyard, he’s hoping that this is the start of putting that old plan in motion.

“Now we’re trying to continue with that plan now to get a couple good fights and have one more opportunity. If not, then I’ll give it up.”

Rodriguez’ end game is clear. It’s not about the title; it’s about the big fight, and in his eyes, that big fight comes with a single name.

“I was looking for a fight with Canelo (Alvarez), and that’s the fight I’m looking for now,” he said. “I’m trying to get back up, trying to get two good fights. At this point, I don’t care about the belt. I just want to get another good fight and give it all.”

A couple good victories could put Rodriguez in the running for that kind of fight, and it’s one he believes he can win, even if he has fallen short in his biggest bouts against Lara, Austin Trout and Miguel Cotto. But as he points out, there’s more to those fights than the end result.

“When you a fight a Class A fighter like Cotto, Trout or Lara, and you’re coming off a big layoff, people are expecting you to do good, and that’s impossible,” he said. “That’s not how the sport goes. You gotta maintain that rhythm and stay active and that’s been the problem throughout my whole career. I’m not gonna blame the promoters; I’ve been having managerial problems as well, and a lot of things happened behind the scenes. That happens to a lot of fighters. But here we are and I still feel very, very strong. I just need to get back in a rhythm.”

To aid in that quest, Rodriguez has gone back to his roots, reuniting with former coach Lou Fusco.

“The most positive thing is that I got back with my first trainer, the guy that really helped me establish my aggressive style, the guy that got my technique down pat,” he said. “I got him back, and I’m looking forward to finishing my career with him. We’re getting back to technique, getting back to basics, and that stuff is very, very important.”

Add this to his huge edge in experience over the 10-1 Cameron, and the stage is set for what he hopes is an impressive return.

“You can’t improvise experience,” Rodriguez said. “You’ve got to go through all the stuff that I went through, all the ups and downs. But these are the fights I need. This kid is gonna be there all night. He’s tough, I know he’s coming to fight, so fights like these are going to make me look good and it’s going to give me what I need.”

A win, and hope for a future he plans on closing out in style.

“Get two fights, get back in a rhythm, and then I’ll be ready for a big fight.”