Philippines, 16 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Danny O'Connor Knows What He Must Do

PhilBoxing.com


Framingham, Massachusetts, native Danny O'Connor will have more than just his undefeated record on the line next time he enters the ring -- His brand-new family is counting on him.

"This fight is basically life or death. I have a child I need to support now and he has to eat and that's the way I look at it. I'll do anything to succeed."

The 14-0, 3 KOs junior welterweight, who recently became the proud father of a newborn baby boy named Liam, his first child, will face fellow undefeated prospect Gabriel Bracero in an eight-round showdown on the fantastic April 8 ShoBox broadcast from the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas.

Speaking by telephone, stone sober on St. Patrick's Day, the clean-living 25-year-old Irish American says the Bracero fight will not only propel him to a level of fighting where he can fully provide for his common-law wife and son, it is also the platform he's been waiting on to show the world the real Danny O'Connor.

"I always knew that if I kept working hard, I would finally get my opportunity. I think that's what this is: my opportunity to let the world know who I am. I think a lot of times I've been overlooked and underrated, which is fine. It makes me work even harder. I am going to do what I have to do to make sure I have a great performance on TV and leave everybody in awe."

A tricky southpaw with often flawless technique, in the ring, O'Connor reminds many of his fistic idol - whom he claims he never intentionally set out to mirror, style wise. "I'm definitely a boxer. That's my strong point. I'm very smart in the ring. I am very fast and I have good angles like my favorite fighter, Paul Spadafora."

O'Connor professes to know little about Bracero. "I don't know much. I know he's a tough kid, and he's in good shape. And I hear he throws a lot of punches. It doesn't really matter what he brings because I think with my abilities as a fighter, I could hang with anyone in the world. I'm real confident with myself."

Interestingly, growing up in Framingham without any of the channels on television he is now going to be fighting on, O'Connor says his mother taught him a skill that has come in handy.

"I make all my own outfits. When I was a kid, I didn't have cable and there wasn't much to do, so my mother taught me how to sew. I make all my outfits from scratch. I go to the fabric store and sew them up myself. I'm making Irish headbands for my fight. I'm going to come out like Julio Cesar Chavez with the headband on and I'm wearing a Kilt I made too."

Having worked hard for many years, Danny O'Connor knows that another victory will mean a chance at increased financial security and the possibility of eventual boxing stardom. To a new father looking to give his son the best life possible, it is the chance of a lifetime.

Tickets for Rumble on the Rio are priced at $25, $35, $45, & $75 (facility fees not included) and are available at the LEA box office, various H.E.B. locations, charge by phone 1-800-745-3000, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Doors at 7pm first bout at 8pm. All bouts subject to change.


For more information, visit learena.com, keeppunching.com or call the LEA at 956-791-9192.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • “The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
    , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.