Danny O’Connor, a Spadafora-Like Boxer:
Unbeaten junior welterweight prospect Danny O’Connor will be fighting Nov. 20th on a card headlined by the fighter he has been compared to since he was an amateur boxer, Paul “The Pittsburgh Kid” Spadafora. The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate O’Connor (13-0, 3 KOs) was supposed to fight Nov. 19 in his hometown, Framingham (MA), but the show was cancelled and the popular Irish-American landed on the Mike Acri Boxing Promotions-card against the same opponent, Humberto Tapia (15-15-1, 8 KOs) at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Spadafora (44-0-1, 18 KOs), the former IBF Lightweight Champion fighting in New England for the first time, takes on Argentina-invader Diego Jesus “El Camicero” Ponce (19-5-3, 3 KOs) in the 10-round main event.
“I grew-up watching Paul Spadafora fight on television and I’ve followed his career,” the 25-year-old O’Connor said. “To be fighting on the same card is an honor. We’re similar in that we’re smooth boxing lefties, white guys with a lot of tattoos, but we’re different in some ways, too.
“At first, I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be fighting in my hometown because fans that have supported me but couldn’t travel were finally going to have a chance to come to my fight. I can’t let that effect me, though, and I’ve put it behind me. I figure someday I’ll fight at home, but right now I’m fully focused on November 20th. I don’t know if it was good timing, good luck, or what but I’m just glad to be fighting. Boxing is what I do and would have traveled to Africa to fight. I’m just thankful to be fighting again.”
NABO & NABF Featherweight Champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard faces
(22-0, 13 KOs) Cuauhtemoc Vargas (15-4-1, 10 KOs) in the 10-round, non-title co-feature. The 24-year-old Remillard, fighting out of nearby Manchester (CT) is rated No. 5 by the WBO, as well as No. 6 by the WBC and WBA.
Hometown favorite, welterweight Addy Irizarry (8-4, 2 KOs), faces her stiffest test against IFBA Welterweight Champion and former U.S. Amateur Boxer of the Year, Jill Emery (9-4, 3 KOs), in a 6-round, non-title fight. Irizarry, a correctional officer from Hartford, has won her last two fights.
Boston super middleweight and former amateur standout, Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca (7-0, 5 KOs), puts his unbeaten record on the line against an opponent to be determined in a 6/8 round match.
Also fighting on the undercard in 4-rounders are Fall River (MA) junior middleweight Dustin Reinhold (3-1, 2 KOs) vs. TBA, undefeated Hartford lightweight Joseph “Chip Perez (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Ronnie Peterson (3-4, 1 NC, 3 KOs), Worcester (MA) heavyweight Keith Bianchini (1-0, 0 KOs) vs. Antonio Robertson (0-2), and Youngstown (OH) lightweight prospect Chris Hazimihalis (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. TBA.
“It’s a better atmosphere fighting on a show with boxers I know like Matt, Chip, Addy and Mark,” O’Connor concluded. “I hope their fans will support me and my fans will support them.
“My opponent is a durable, tough kid who has only been stopped once. I’m in good shape and can’t wait for the fight. I’m going to put on a good show for all of the fans and Spadafora’s promoter (Mike Acri) for putting me on this show.”
All fights are fighters are subject to change.
