Boxing management firm alleges protege refused to perform, abused steroids

GALVESTON - Bad Boyz Inc. alleges an El Paso boxer it managed failed to honor a contract between them, recent court documents say. 

A lawsuit filed Oct. 15 in Galveston County District Court claims amateur fighter David Rodriguez Jr. turned down potential challenges and engaged in conduct detrimental to his ability to perform, stating such acts violated their agreement.

The boxer's parents, David Rodriguez Sr. and Patricia Rodriguez, join their son as co-defendants in the case.

Bad Boyz explains that the younger Rodriguez had aspirations of fighting in the professional circuit and turned to it in hopes of developing his craft.

Both parties executed a renewable contract in February 1999.

Under the agreement, the plaintiff consented to exclusively manage and represent Rodriguez Jr., provide him with adequate gym and training facilities, locate and schedule matches and "to further his professional boxing career in whatever manner possible."

Meanwhile, Rodriguez Jr. agreed to fulfill any contracts entered into on his behalf by Bad Boyz, to not participate in hazardous or potentially dangerous activities and to attend necessary events including but not limited to training exercises and medical examinations.

He was paid a signing bonus of $30,000 over the first 30 months of the agreement.

The original petition asserts the complainant expended "countless hours and sweat" and spent more than $400,000 developing Rodriguez Jr. as a professional athlete, however, the latter "has not performed as agreed."

The one-time protégé refused to accept fights against formidable foes on several occasions, drank excessively and abused steroids, the suit argues.

Bad Boyz adds several promoters around the country knew of Rodriguez Jr.'s purportedly "destructive" lifestyle and would not include him on cards, which caused it to instead arrange fights in Mexico.

His parents are believed to "have played a significant role" in the decisions that he had made in connection to his boxing career, the suit says.

Attorney David P. Salyer with McLeod, Alexander, Powel & Apffel P.C. in Galveston is representing the plaintiff, and Galveston County 212th District Court Judge Susan Criss is presiding over the case.

Case No. 12-cv-2176