Showtime for "Donnie Boy" Orr
Undefeated Canadian middleweight "Donnie Boy" Orr (15-0, 6 KOs) has waited a long time for a realistic chance at professional boxing glory.
The wait is over.
Having signed with promoter Nick Garone and his X-Cel Worldwide, Orr will be plugged into a successful boxing program in an area sharing a border with a heavily populated area of his homeland. With his personable nature and exciting pressure-fighting ring style, the plan will be to turn the former Olympian into a local favourite then build him into the kinds of big fights experts predicted he would end up in during his days as an outstanding amateur.
Orr will begin his campaign to a world title on Saturday, June 19 at the Niagara Falls Conference Center in Niagara Falls, New York, when he fights in the main supporting bout to the Hasim Rahman vs. Shannon Miller heavyweight main event.
Orr currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where he works and trains under Andy Soto at LA Boxing.
Donnie, you're 32 years old. Why has your career taken so long to take off?
I had a couple promoters promise that when I get to 10-0 they'd get me a fight for a small title and start working up from there. But then when I got to 10-0 they said they want me to sign an agreement to fight 12 times in the first year. I said no to that. So then we were floating around waiting to get fights on other promoters' cards. But it just seemed like even when a promoter was willing to put me on a show, the opponent always wanted way too much money. It wasn't feasible to make it happen a lot of times. I was pretty much just waiting for something to come along. Then I signed with another promoter and he stopped doing shows and put me on the shelf for a long time.
You were in the 2000 Olympics. Why'd you wait until 2005 to turn pro?
I took four and a half years off after I fought in amateurs. No boxing at all. I was kind of sick of it. I was living in Canada and the idea of fighting pro... there isn't any real good pro boxing there. I was making good money working in the oil fields out West for a while, but then I got sick of that and got into a gym and said you know what? Maybe I'll give it a go.
How did you end up in Phoenix, Arizona?
In Phoenix, I have a good trainer; I can get plenty of decent sparing and I've carved out a comfortable lifestyle here. I'm helping out a buddy with his gym and teaching boxing.
How do you feel about signing on with Nick Garone and X-Cel Worldwide?
I'm excited. I was getting frustrated with the whole thing, especially the grind of being in and out of the gym every day. Having a direction will give some purpose to the hard work I'm putting in.
Tell me about fighting in Niagara Falls, so close to Canada.
I'm extremely happy. I've had a good reception everywhere I've boxed because the crowds enjoy the way I fight, but I have friends in Niagara Falls and St. Catherine's. Hopefully they'll be making it down for some of the shows.
Describe your fighting style to the fans who will be seeing you for the first time.
I've had an extensive amateur career, so I'm a clean boxer. I work well off the jab. I'm a pressure fighter especially at middleweight. I don't take many punches but I don't take many backward steps. I'm not blowing everybody out of the water with one punch but I have enough power to make you respect me. I've been told I'm a very sharp puncher. I think people will like to see my speed and explosiveness. Hope everybody comes out and enjoys themselves. I always put on a good show. They will be in for a good night of boxing.
You're at an advanced age for a fighter at the level of prospect. How much time you do you think you have left in boxing?
I think I will have some longevity because of the fact that I took quite a few years off. I wasn't taking beatings. There's more tread in the tire than you might think looking at my age.
What is your ultimate goal as a boxer?
I want to bring home a world title. I want to set my family up as best I can and basically go as far as I can, so one day I can just lie back at 80 years old and think about what I did. I don't want to one day say I could have done this and I could have done that. I want to answer all the questions and leave no stone unturned.
Tickets for "The Rock Returns" are available online at championsofboxing.com or by calling 716.278.2195. They are priced at $25 $45 and $65 for ringside, in advance. Special VIP seating is available by calling 631-878-1676. For more information, visit championsofboxing.com. Doors open at 6:30 on fight night and the action starts at 7:30.
