Phil D. JayWBN Editor
New Jersey Golden Gloves winner talks to WBN about turning pro this year
On the day of his 24th birthday, East Hanover welterweight Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien has been speaking to WBN Editor Phil D. Jay about his upcoming maiden professional bout on the undercard of the Zab Judah v Kaizer Mabuza show at the Prudential Center on March 5th.
A late-comer into the fight game, O’Brien has blossomed into a champion amateur after starting his journey in boxing at the age of twenty and culminating in his victory in April at the 2010 New Jersey Golden Gloves at light-welterweight, where he was also named "outstanding fighter of the night."
“After winning the (Golden) Gloves it was amazing as it was a goal I always wanted with every ounce of my heart and when I finally captured it, the feeling was surreal,” Vinny told WBN.
“Now that I am hitting the pro ranks, I have a bunch of emotions, I'm excited, eager, focused and determined to go after every fight with everything I’ve got and one day make the name “Vinny O'Brien” known in every household by claiming a world title within boxing.”
After his amateur success at light-welterweight, Vinny has decided to turn pro at the welterweight limit and knows he faces some tough opponents if he wants to make his dream come true and pick up a world title belt. ”It’s a tough division but you need to fight the best to claim you’re the best right? I may experiment at a few catch weights, maybe at 145 or so, but still not sure what my ideal weight is, I would have to talk with my promoter and coach about that.”
With his pro debut just around the corner, the New Jersey sports fanatic is hoping to stay especially active in his first year in the paid ranks in order to gain the experience he will need to be a top fighter in the future and stay at the top once he gets there.
”My first goal for the year is to keep busy, I want to have anywhere from 8-12 fights and stay undefeated, without going the distance.
“I want to be rookie of the year and top prospect for 2012. If I have the chance maybe even go for an alphabet belt."I have been a fighter my whole life in one way or another and since the day I put my gloves on, I wanted to be on the big stage showing the world, not just what I can do in this sport, but also what I can do for it.
“I love every aspect of boxing and what it has to offer me, there's a reason its called "The Sweet Science," theres nothing like out-fighting your opponent and at the same time out smarting him.”
”Thank you for this opportunity Phil and World Boxing News I'm excited to read this article and I hope you have a great day.”
Vinny expressed to WBN his desire to thank his family, friends and fans for their loyal love and support, along with huge appreciation to the team around him for getting him where he is today.
For more information about Vinny and to like his facebook page visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vinny-Lion-OBrien/113711535365546?ref=ts
Phil would like to thank Vinny O'Brien for his time and wish him all the best in his career, which will surely be a successful one.
And a Happy birthday too.