Photo Credit: David Algranati / The Fight Photos
Irving Texas native "Dynamite" Dominique Griffin, 5-3-2 (2), is back in the ring on Saturday, August 19th, on perhaps the biggest stage of his career. He will battle New Jersey native and fan favorite John Leonardo at the Sportika in Manalapan, New Jersey. The 35-year-old Griffin is coming off the two biggest performances of his career. The Texan scored a majority decision victory over Carlos Vanegas Nunez of Port Chester NY at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, on a card that featured former world title challengers Tremaine Williams and Chordale Booker. Prior to that, he scored a disputed draw with "Biggie '' Robert Rodriguez of San Antonio on the undercard of Hector Tanajara's return fight. A fight in Rodriguez's native San Antonio at the Tech Port Arena in a fight nearly all observers thought the Irving native deserved the decision. Rodriguez was featured on ESPN several times and scored sensational first and second-round KO's of Adrias Servin and Abel Soriano.
Another win over a respected fighter in his own backyard put Griffin in a great position to get a big-money fight and makes him a contender in the 122-pound division. Dynamite would likely have to go in as a B-side but the disputed draw with Rodriguez followed up by two wins over two respected prospects in their backyards make Griffin a legitimate road dog who can be used to fight any of the top young 122-pounders on the way up.
Griffin was born and raised in West Texas in San Angelo and turned professional back in 2018. He was unbeaten in his first five professional bouts, compiling a record of 4-0-1 (1), before losing three fights in a row to three undefeated prospects losing all three on points before the current two-fight hot streak.