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09/11/2008 Archived Entry: "US Olympic Alternate Danny O’Connor"
US Olympic Alternate Danny O’Connor
Turns Pro September 17 in Manchester, NH
Press Release
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (September 10, 2008) – 2008 U.S. Olympic first alternate Danny O’Connor makes his professional boxing debut September 17 against Jose Guerrido in a four-round bout on “The Maul In Manchester” -- the seventh annual Fight To Educate – at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The 23-year-old O’Connor, fighting out of Framingham (MA), won this year’s US Future Stars National Championship, in which he was named Most Outstanding Boxer, as well as the National Golden Gloves Tournament, both in the 141-pound light welterweight division. Danny’s most notable victory as an amateur was a dominating victory, 23-3, against eventual 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz, of the Dominican Republic, on May 29 in a USA-Dominican Republic dual meet in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
“I’ve never been so ready in my life,” O’Connor said about his pro debut. “I feel like a caged lion. I can’t wait. It’s something I’ve dreamed about and I’m excited it’s happening so close to home. I wish I had boxed in the Olympics and medaled, but I can always say a month before the start of the Olympics I beat the gold medalist.”
O’Connor was a Massachusetts high school wrestling champion when he was a sophomore. The stylish southpaw that reminds some of a cross between a young Paul Spadafora and Winky Wright, offensively and defensively, respectively, had been training less than six months when he participated in his first national tournament in 2006.
A lifelong resident of Framingham (MA), Danny has gone from a 4-time New England Golden Gloves champion, winning the novice and open titles in his first time around the circuit, to recently being profiled in Sports Illustrated (Faces In The Crowd).
O’Connor, who trains at the 401 Gym in Rhode Island, is co-managed by Rob Valle and Dave Keefe, who also is head trainer. Danny recently signed a promotional contract with Warriors Boxing. “I made a lot of sacrifices being an Olympic alternate, being away from my family for so long,” O’Connor spoke about his signing, “but it paid off and I signed a great deal with Warriors Boxing.
Dave (Keefe) made the arrangements and I met Leon Margules (Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing). I got a real good feeling right away about Warriors because Leon runs a great, well organized company. He was very genuine. I felt signing with Warriors was in the best interest of my career. I really like him. Everybody’s happy with the deal.”
O’Connor debuts on a 5-fight pro card showcasing unbeaten prospects Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (19-0, 14 KOs) and Ronald “The Chosen One” Hearns (19-0, 15 KOs) separate bouts. Special guests will include boxing stars Tommy “Hit Man” Hearns, the 6-time world champion who’ll be supporting his son, Ronald, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran, and legendary trainer Angelo Dundee.
Tickets are priced at $25 and $50 and available to purchase by going to the 401 Boxing Gym, Elmwood Avenue in ranston (RI) or calling 508.397.5323 in the Framingham area. For more information about Danny O’Connor visit his web site at www.dannyoconnorboxing.com and go to www.fight2educate.com for more information about “The Maul In Manchester.” First bout will be at 8 PM/ET
