Philadelphia's Gabriel Rosado to fight for title shot

His game plan is simple, and his approach is well-tested, but Gabriel Rosado's journey hasn't been easy.

The North Philadelphian, who hails from the city's "Badlands," is one win away from securing his first world title shot.

And in order to do so, he wants to keep it simple: score another knockout.

On Friday night, Rosado (20-5, 12 knockouts) will meet Charles Whittaker at the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, Pa. The winner will become the mandatory No. 1 contender for Cornelius Bundrage's IBF light-middleweight title.

Rosado has won his last two fights by knockout, and Friday will be his third straight bout on Fight Night, on the NBC Sports Network. On that platform, Rosado has earned national respect with his gutsy approach and fast style.

In January, he easily dispatched former contender Jesus Soto-Karass with a fifth-round knockout. In June, Rosado needed nine rounds to knock out Sechew Powell.

But Rosado isn't a groomed contender. He turned pro at just 19 years old, and with little guidance dropped five fights in four years. Not exactly the fast track for a title shot.

The losses made him the fighter he is now, said Rosado, 26. He has bounced back and hasn't lost in more than two years.

Despite his advanced age, the 38-year-old Whittaker (38-12-2, 23 KOs) has won 14 straight fights dating back to 2004.

"They say you can't go for the knockout, but that's what's been happening," said Rosado, who trained for two weeks in Arizona. "We'll set him up in the early rounds and get him somewhere in the middle rounds."

In order to land a knockout, Rosado said he has to be wise with his approach. He simply can't look for one punch.

Instead he will invest in a series of pressured body shots to "break him down little by little." He then hopes to work in his signature jab before he has his opponent in position.

"It's all mental," Rosado said. "You can put all the hard work in, but if mentally you're not there, you won't be able to execute the plan."