 O’Connor back boxing in Boston
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (June 23, 2009) – Highly active unbeaten prospect Danny O’Connor fights in his first scheduled 6-round bout Saturday afternoon (5:00 PM/ET start) in a junior welterweight Special Attraction against 30-fight veteran Sebastien Hamel at The Roxy in Boston’s famed theater district. The popular Irish-American will be in his seventh fight in eight months since turning pro last September.
“I’m excited to be fighting in my first 6-rounder,” O’Connor said. “It’s going to be a good experience, especially in Boston, where there will be a lot of my people. There’s no additional pressure on me fighting a home, though. I appreciate seeing and hearing all of the support, knowing they came to see me fight.”
2004 U.S. Olympic Team alternate O’Connor (6-0, 2 KOs) was impressive in his last fight, easily winning by 4-round decision against 22-fight veteran Travis Hartman on April 25 at Foxwoods. “I felt very relaxed in my last fight,” Danny noted. “It was like a day at the office. I’m really starting to feel confident. I’m going rounds and not feeling tight or anxious. Obviously, I was in great shape, and I’ll be in even better shape for this fight having been in a full strength-and-conditioning program for the first time with my coach, Eric Cressey. All of my work is going to kick-in this fight. I’m in the gym sparring 6, 8 and even 10 rounds. Sparring isn’t the same as fighting, but I’m ready to go six in this fight if it goes the distance. Each fight I’m learning and improving.”
The 24-year-old O’Connor, who defeated 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz a year ago in a USA-Dominican Republic dual meet, will fight closer to his Framingham (Mass.) home in front of hundreds of family, friends and fans at The Roxy.
“We’re looking forward to Danny’s first 6-rounder because that’s what separates the men from the boys in professional boxing,” O’Connor’s head trainer and co-manager (with Rob Valle) David Keefe remarked. “We’re moving forward. We have been busy and Danny is ready to move up.”
“We are proud of Danny and the progress he has made,” Seminole Warriors Boxing (O’Connor’s promoter) Leon Margules added. “The people in the Boston area should enjoy seeing the continued development of their great young prospect.”
Tickets, priced at $40.00, $55.00 and $75.00, may be purchased at the door.
 Hot N.E. prospect Danny O’Connor
Ready for 6, heading to 135
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (April 30, 2009) – With six pro fights under his belt since turning pro last September for Seminole Warriors Boxing, unbeaten prospect Danny O’Connor is now ready to move up to 6-round bouts and preparing to go down to the lightweight division.
2004 U.S. Olympic Team alternate O’Connor (6-0, 2 KOs) is coming off an impressive win by 4-round decision against 22-fight veteran Travis Hartman (9-12-1, 7 KOs) last Saturday night on the Froch-Taylor undercard on Showtime at MGM Grand Foxwoods in Ledyard, Connecticut.
O’Connor twice floored Hartman, who had been in against Cesar Chavez, Jr., en route to his sixth victory by judges’ scores of 40-34 three times. “I’m really starting to feel like a professional boxer,” O’Connor said. “I’m comfortable with everything – what I eat the day of the fight, how to prepare in the locker room – and I was very relaxed in the ring. I’m a perfectionist and there must be 100 things I think I could have done better, but other than a few minor things, I was happy with my performance. I still think I could have come quicker off my defense like I usually do and used a few more angles. But I do think it was my best fight as a pro.
“I’m usually amped-up in a fight but when I knocked down Hartman, instead of rushing, I looked to Dave in my corner and was patient. I loved fighting on a big card like that. I could tell it was different from the weigh in with Froch having such a big cheering section. There was a Showtime environment. I wasn’t nervous, more excited, because I wanted to put on a good show for the Showtime people and fans watching that hadn’t seem me fight before. I think I’m ready for my first 6-rounder and over the course of time I’ll get down to 135. My next fight I’ll probably weigh 138-139. I just have to concentrate on my good diet and we’ll see how long it’ll take for me to fight strong at 135. Right now, it’s just one fight at a time.”
The 23-year-old O’Connor, who defeated 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz a year ago in a USA-Dominican Republic dual meet, hopes to be fighting again in June.
“I thought Danny looked real sharp and very relaxed in his fight,” head trainer and co-manager (with Rob Valle) David Keefe added. “He’s fought a lot of rounds (19) in his six pro fights and we believe he’s ready to step-up to fight 6-rounders.”
 O'Connor Defeats Hartman!
Southpaw prospect Danny O'Connor had an easy day at the office as he dropped Travis Hartman twice en route to a clear cut four round decision.
O'Connor (6-0, 2 KOs ) dropped Hartman in the opening moments of the fight with a straight left hand. Hartman (9-12-1, 7 KOs ) spent the majority of the next three rounds backpedaling as O'Connor stalked.
 In round four, O'Connor dropped Hartman again, this time with a series of body punches. When Hartman rose, he was quickly met by O'Connor who muscled his opponent onto the ropes. Referee Joe Lupino appeared moments from stopping the bout when the final bell did that for him. All three judges scored the fight 40-34 in O'Connor's favor. – Courtesy of Fightnews.com
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