One year later unbeaten light welterweight Danny O’Connor returns to site of pro debut

Posted on | September 17, 2009 | No Comments

Sheika-Echols headline Sept. 23 card at Verizon Center in Manchester

MANCHESTER, N.H. (September 17, 2009) – A lot has changed for unbeaten light welterweight prospect Danny O’Connor since he made his pro debut one year ago in the same charity event and site that the Framingham (MA) boxer fighter returns to fight next Wednesday (September 23).

The 23-year old O’Connor takes on Patrick “Raging Bull” Cape (6-7, 3 KOs) in the 8th annual “Fight To Educate” pro boxing card at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.

The 8th annual “Fight To Educate,” presented by MB Tractor & Equipment, in association with Cedric Kushner’s Gotham Boxing, will benefit the SEE Science Center, Bobby Stephen Fund for Education, and The Veterans Count Club.

O’Connor, 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Alternate and National Golden Gloves Tournament winner, defeated Jose Guerrido by second-round technical knockout in the seventh annual “Fight To Educate” at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester. Since then during a busy first year as a professional the popular, talented southpaw has extended his perfect pro record to 8-0 (2 KOs).

“The ‘Fight To Educate’ and Verizon Arena are special to me because I made my pro debut there last year,” O’Connor said. “Plus, it’s great to fight so close to home and on the same show as my good friend, Edwin (Rodriguez). I’m really excited to be fighting back there. In the last year, I’ve gained a lot of valuable experience and adjusted to the pro game. I’ve settled down; more relaxed and learning how to better set-up my shots. Everything comes off of my jab, which is my most effective punch, and the punch I’ve most improved since my pro debut. I’m learning more each fight. Part of the pro process is learning and I’ll be doing that until I retire. People there next Wednesday night will see a much improved fighter than when I fought there last year.”

Light heavyweight Omar Sheika (27-9, 18 KOs) is now facing a fellow 3-time world title challenger, Antwun “Kid Dynamite” Echols (31-12-4 (27 KOs), in the 10-round main event.

Undefeated Worcester (MA) prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (11-0, 8 KOs), a 2-time U.S. national amateur champion, squares-off against experienced super middleweight Robbie Tovar (15-4-1, 5 KOs), former NABC Latino title-holder, in the 8-round co-feature.

New Hampshire native Richard Gingras (9-2, 5 KOs), star of The Contender IV television reality television series, as well as the former World Ringside heavyweight amateur champion, meets 26-fight veteran light heavyweight Robert Davis in an 8-round Special Light Heavyweight Attraction.

Spinks Legends

This year’s special guests are the legendary Spinks family boxers – Hall of Famer Michael “Jinx” Spinks (31-1, 21 KOs), the 1976 Olympic gold medalist who became the first light heavyweight champion to win the undefeated world heavyweight championship as a professional; Michael’s brother, former world heavyweight champion and 1976 Olympic gold medalist “Neon” Leon Spinks and his son, Cory “New Generation” Spinks, the 5-time world and reigning IBF junior middleweight champion.

Also in the undercard, undefeated heavyweight Faruq “The Dream” Saleem (38-0, 32 KOs) faces upset specialist Shawn McLean (3-4, 2 KOs), while Bronx (NY) super middleweight Hajro Sujak (3-0, 1 KO) fights Joel Lopez (0-3) in six and four round bouts, respectively.

Tickets are priced at $10 (seniors, veterans and students only), $25 and $50 and available to purchase at the Verizon Wireless Arena Box Office, any TicketMaster location, on line at www.ticketmaster.com, or call 603.868.7300 to charge. For more information go to www.fight2educate.com. First bout will be at 8 PM/ET.

-GB-