Some of New England’s brightest and best boxing prospects will be showcased Friday, Oct. 21, in the main event on ShoBox: The New Generation LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), when DiBella Entertainment returns to the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods.
The same market that has produced “Irish” Micky Ward, “Bad” Chad Dawson, Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza, John “The Quietman” Ruiz and so many more world-class boxers during the past 20 years, will also feature a multi-talented quartet comprised of highly-touted super middleweight Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez, fan-friendly Ryan “Polish Prince” Kielczewski, exciting Danny O’Connor, and gifted Luis “KO King” Rosa, on the “Octoberfist: Fight Night Done Right” card. The N.E. Fab Four has an impressive combined record of 53-1.
“Edwin, Ryan K., Danny and Luis represent the new generation of New England boxers,” promoter Lou DiBella said. “They all bring into the ring what real fans want – boxing skills, guts, and entertaining styles. Each of these young fighters has a growing fan-base and we’re hoping they’ll all band together October 21st to cause another New England revolution.”
Rodriguez (19-0, 14 KOs), fighting out of nearby Worcester, Mass., has already graduated from prospect to legitimate world title contender. The 26-year-old is now rated in all four major sanctioning bodies (IBF #5, WBC #6, WBA #8 and WBO # 12) and has gained invaluable experience in the past year as a sparring partner for Carl Froch, Daniel Geale, Jean Pascal and Chad Dawson.
“La Bomba” headlines “Octoberfist” against another undefeated fighter and friend, New York City banger Will “Power” Rosinky (14-0, 8 KOs). Also being broadcast live on Showtime is the 10-round co-feature, matching rising junior welterweight 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.
Rodriguez and Rosinsky a history dating back to the amateur ranks, where they were, respectively, the 2005 USA Nationals middleweight and light heavyweight champions. Edwin was also the 2006 National Golden Gloves Champion, while Rosinsky captured the New York Golden Gloves Championship four times. They were also members of the 2006 USA Boxing team that traveled to China.
Recognized as one of the most feared body punchers in boxing, four of Rodriguez last five fights ending in knockouts were the results of single punches to the liver and rib areas. Rosinsky has fought a number of times on DBE’s popular Broadway Boxing series but, unlike Rodriguez who will be fighting on Showtime for the third time, second in the main event, the Oct. 21, bout will mark the first appearance for Rosinsky in the national spotlight.
Another undefeated fighter from Massachusetts, unheralded Quincy junior lightweight Ryan “Polish Prince” Kielczewski (11-0, 2 KOs), who stamped himself as an action-packed fighter to watch, belting James Lester around the ring from the opening bell for eight full rounds en route to a lop-sided win by decision in his last fight.
O’Connor (15-1, 4 KOs), a left-handed light welterweight from Framingham, Mass., was a 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate. He and Rodriguez have traveled similar routes, first boxing at the Worcester Boys & Girls Club, and now as training camp roommates in Houston with former world title challenger and “Trainer of the Year”, Ronnie Shields, now serving as chief second for both of them. O’Connor, who designs and makes his exotic Irish-flavored boxing trunks, bounced back from his only loss, ironically, to Bracero, with an impressive first-round knockout victory last month.
Unbeaten New Haven super bantamweight Rosa (8-0, 5 KOs) was another decorated NE amateur boxer. He is mature beyond his years, largely due to his amateur experience, as well as having his father, Luis, as his coach. Rosa is the complete package in the ring, offensively and defensively, but he also has heavy hands.
The complete undercard will be announced shortly.
