RODRIGUEZ-ROSINSKY HEADLINE LIVE ON SHOWTIME® OCT. 21 FROM MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS

Rodriguez (19-0, 14 KOs) headlines “Octoberfist: Fight Night Done Right,” presented by DiBella Entertainment, against another undefeated fighter and friend, New York City brawler Will “Power” Rosinky (14-0, 8 KOs), on ShoBox: The New Generation LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Also being broadcast live on SHOWTIME® is a junior welterweight co-feature, matching rising contender Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (17-0, 3KOs) and always tough Daniel Sostre (11-4-1, 4KOs) for the vacant NABF title.  Both bouts are scheduled for 10 rounds.

The 26-year-old Rodriguez (19-0, 14 KOs), a native of the Dominican Republic fighting out of Worcester (MA), is already considered a legitimate world title contender, presently rated among the top 12 in all four major governing bodies (IBF #5, WBC #6, WBA #8 and WBO # 12). “La Bomba” and O’Connor (15-1, 4 KOs), the popular Irish-American boxer from Framingham (MA), met in 2005 as New England teammates. A friendship soon blossomed and O’Connor soon started training at Rodriguez’ gym, the Worcester Boys & Girls Club.

They eventually went their separate ways. Rodriguez turned pro and O’Connor went to China as a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team as an alternate. Now, they’re back together in Houston, sharing an apartment and being trained by the highly-regarded Ronnie Shields.

“We’re on a mission to accomplish something special together,” Rodriguez explained, “and become world champions from Massachusetts. We both left our family back home (Edwin has a wife and five-year-old twins) to train here with Ronnie Shields. In many ways having Danny here makes it a little better because we know what each other is going through.”

Rodriguez and Rosinsky also have a history together, dating back to the amateur ranks, where they were members of the 2006 USA Boxing Team that traveled to China. They were also 2005 USA National Champions; Rodriguez at middleweight and Rosinsky at light heavyweight.

“He (Rosinky) is a tough but nice kid,” Edwin noted. “He’s a real fighter, too. I know him and he knows me, but I’m not the same fighter he knew. It’s great being trained by Ronnie Shields, and I’m not the same fighter.”

O’Connor (15-1, 4 KOs) readily admits that he and his Houston roommate, Edwin, are complete opposites. “We are like the odd couple: I’m always on time, he’s not; I don’t like playing video games, he does. I love Edwin because he’s such a genuine person and a great guy. Being here with him makes it bearable. I have a seven-month old son, Liam, who I’ve barely seen because I’ve been here the last three months. I really miss him and my wife. It’s tough, but it’s also funny. I’m very relaxed before my fight but, watching Edwin fight, I’m a nervous wreck.”

O’Connor’s first loss as a pro came earlier this year, ironically, on ShoBox to Bracero. He followed Rodriguez to Houston and rebounded nicely last month with a first-round knockout victory.

“I always try to do better than Edwin,” said O’Connor who will be in a six-round, off-TV bout vs. TBA on Oct. 21. “We push each other all the time in training. If I get a little uptight, Edwin will be the first to tell me and, when I get cranky making weight, he’ll tell me I’m being a bitch. We’re totally opposite, except in the boxing world.”

Shields, a former two-time world title challenger and “Trainer of the Year,” has embraced his New England fighters and made them part of his family. “Edwin has been with me about four months now,” Shields commented. “This is a kid who wants to learn in order to be the best. He will be world champion. He’s done everything I’ve asked. He’s had a great training camp and this is his time to shine. His opponent (Rosinsky) is good, maybe a little heavier – a light heavyweight — than Edwin, but they’re fighting at a catch weight of 172 pounds. He comes forward and Edwin won’t go toe-to-toe with him. This guy is coming forward to knock out Edwin, who needs to show his boxing skills in this fight.

“We’re working with Danny to sit down on his punches. He’s a good boxer but he didn’t know how to fight on the inside. He’s learning how to turn into his punch and I think it surprised him to know he has more power than he thought. He can box but fighting inside can’t be foreign to him.

“I love these two guys. They’re two of the best I’ve ever met in this business. Edwin’s a blessing. How can you not love Edwin? Danny’s a great guy, too. They fuel each other in the gym and are good for each other being so far away from home. They share an apartment and do everything together – train, eat, movies, run, etc. It’s like a family affair with them and the other fighters at my gym. They come over to my house for dinner once in a while. Hey, they’re family now.”

Two other talented New England boxers will be in action on Oct. 21. Exciting Quincy (MA) junior lightweight Ryan “Polish Prince” Kielczewski (11-0, 2 KOs) is always a crowd pleaser, while New Haven super bantamweight Luis “KO King” Rosa (8-0, 5 KOs) is a sound, overall prospect.

The complete undercard will be announced shortly.

DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT 

DiBella Entertainment builds upon the unique insights Lou DiBella developed as a television executive and matchmaker to combat the contractual exploitation of professional boxers. DiBella Entertainment creates a business model that shifts the balance of power from promoters to boxers; and establishes a legacy of matchmaking excellence, both in an effort to improve the health of the boxing industry. DiBella Entertainment represent its athletes with honesty and integrity all while making the best and fairest financial deals for its clients.

For more information visit us at www.dbe1.com, follow us at twitter/loudibella or check us out at facebook/lou.dibella

Nov. 12 in Manchester

LONDON (October 12, 2011) – A bitter, ongoing feud for the past year promises to finally erupt November 12 when a pair of 16-0 heavyweights, massive Tyson Fury and menacing Neven “No Surrender” Pajkic, put their perfect records on the line, as well as their immense pride, in a 12-round take-no-prisoners title fight at EventCity, Trafford Park (next to Trafford Centre) in Manchester, England. It will mark Fury’s first pro fight in his birthplace of Manchester.

“EventCity is thrilled to be the host venue for a world-class boxing event, and looks forward to welcoming spectators to a fantastic evening of sport and entertainment,” noted Andy Orr, Centre Director, EventCity.

Fury vs. Pajkic, proudly presented by Hennessy Sports, will be broadcast live on Channel 5, the United Kingdom’s terrestrial network.

Neven will be challenging Fury for his prestigious Commonwealth title as the British champion, Tyson, takes on the Canadian title holder, Pajkic.

Fury (16-0, 11 KOs), who called out the Bosnian from ringside at a Pajkic fight last year, has been the subject of some derogatory remarks made by Pajkic (16-0, 5 KOs) on numerous occasions.   There’s no love lost between these rivals. Along with bragging rights being on the line in the United Kingdom/Ireland and Canada, the “O” must go for one of these two warriors,

“Once again, Tyson will be fighting a dangerous, undefeated fighter,” noted Mick Hennessy, who is promoter of the Nov. 12th event as well as Fury’s. “In his last six fights, including the upcoming one against Pajkic, Tyson will have fought four undefeated fighters (14-0 Dereck Chisora, 13-0 Marcelo Luiz Nascimento and 12-0 Rich Power), which is unheard of for a top heavyweight coming up the ranks. Tyson is old-school and he’s doing everything the proper way. I honestly believe that, within 18 months to two years, not only will he be the No. 1 heavyweight in the world, but the biggest name in the sport as well.

“Fury vs. Pajkic is another great fight for Channel 5, it is an absolutely explosive grudge match that shouldn’t be missed.”

The 23-year-old Fury is one of the top heavyweight contenders in the world, presently rated No. 13 by the World Boxing Council (“WBC”) and No. 15 by the World Boxing Association (“WBA”). He captured the British & Commonwealth titles in July by way of an impressive 12-round decision against previously undefeated Chisora in London.

In his last action, Fury stopped Nicolai Firtha (20-8-1) in the fifth round of their September 17 thriller at the famed Kings Hall in Belfast.

A native of war-torn Bosnia, Pajkic defected to Canada in 1996 and he went on to capture top honors at the 2004 Ringside Tournament, which was the highlight of his amateur boxing career. Now living in Toronto, Neven is the reigning Canadian heavyweight champion whose most notable victims have been Nicolai Firtha, Johnnie White, Raphael Butler, Jason Gavern and Grzegprz Koelsa(twice).

“I’ve never seen Neven show this much anger towards any other fighter,” Pajkic’s promoter Rick Smiciklas noted. “It all started when Tyson called out Neven, who then flicked his towel at Tyson, and it’s grown from there. Neven can’t stand Tyson. Calling it a bitter rivalry is weak. Now, they can settle their bad blood in the ring. It’s going to be a fun night. They each have a lot of energy. Both are charismatic and speak very well. This is a fight that’s going to be good for boxing and both guys.”

Also scheduled to fight on the Nov. 12 card in Manchester is the very talented exciting, undefeated super bantamweight prospect Kid Galahad (10-0, 4 KOs), of Sheffield)

The full card will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, starting at £30, will be on sale from midday today (Wednesday 12th) and may be purchased via Hennessy Sports Box Office 01925 755 222, Ticketline.co.uk 0844 888 4402, Ticketmaster.co.uk0844 847 2500 and online at www.HennessySports.com.

Doors open at 5 PM with the first bout scheduled to start at 5.30 PM.

The Nov. 12 telecast will also be available in Canada to all Super Channel network subscribers.

Go on line at www.HennessySports.com for more information about Fury, his fight vs. Pajkic, or any Hennessy Sports boxers and events.