Luis Jose Rodriguez is ready to leave the amateur ranks in the rearview mirror.

The five-time Puerto Rico National Champion has set his sights on the pro ranks, having entered a promotional agreement with Rivalta Boxing, headed by Henry Rivalta. Rodriguez has added renowned boxing personality Tony Gonzalez to the team as an adviser.

"I would like to thank Henry Rivalta and Tony Gonzalez for working so hard to make this happen,” Rodriguez said. “It is a great honor to be able to fight as a professional and represent Puerto Rico who has a long lineage of great champions.”

Rodriguez amassed a record of 78-13 as an amateur, having served on Puerto Rico’s national team since 2016. The 24-year-old from Toa Alta, Puerto Rico—who is also a schoolteacher outside the ring—believes to have maxed out his potential on that level, with the next logical step to turn pro. With that, came the decision to surround himself with the right team where he can properly develop while also garner the attention befitting his skill set and potential.

“I am ecstatic with the news of having Luis join our promotional company,” notes Rivalta. “I firmly believe he is going to be the next great champion from Puerto Rico. 

“He understands that he has some huge shoes to fill with all the great champions coming from there, and he is up for that challenge."

Added Gonzalez: “Luis has all the skills and tools not only to become a World Champion, but also to become a star attraction in the sport.  He is a humble young man who has worked as a schoolteacher while representing Puerto Rico as part of the National Team and who desires nothing more than to become Puerto Rico’s next great champion. 

“With Henry in his corner working with me, his career is in great hands and there is no reason to believe that he cannot achieve stardom in the sport.”

Rodriguez has already put in the work along with head trainer Ricardo Santiago to make the transition from amateur pro, vowing to “continue to represent Puerto Rico with great pride, as I did in the amateurs.

“I will work hard and welcome this new challenge in the professionals and will bring a world title home."

Rodriguez will campaign as a middleweight in the pro ranks, with expectations of making his pro debut later this spring.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox