By Peter Mark Heintzelman, Photos by Peter Mark Heintzelman – Life doesn’t get better than this, for middleweight prospect, Donnie Orr (12-0-0, 5 KO’s), formerly of Victoria, British Colombia, and recent transplant to Boston, Massachusetts. The mild mannered prospect, in the camp of Cappiello Promotions of Brockton, MA, has gained a huge following in a very short time in Beantown, because of his exciting fight style and his friendly humility. He finds himself on the undercard of Duddy Howe this Saturday night, and he’s ready for a tactical fight..
Orr took a moment at the weigh in, at The Kells, in Allston, Massachusetts to speak to EastSideBoxing about his life and his game plan against a seasoned and tough opponent, Roberto Valenzuela (44-37-2, 37 KO’s), of Augua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico.
EastSideBoxing.com: Donnie Orr, a long way from Vegas! How are you enjoying life in Boston now, and how did it feel to experience your first win under the Cappiello Banner, in April, at The Roxy in Boston, when you defeated Clarence Taylor?
Orr: Oh, I loved it. You know, the South Boston crowd has accepted me. I couldn’t have asked for any more, to be honest. They opened the door for me, from the first day I’ve got here, its been nothing but delightful people, embracing, and supporting me through thick and thin. Man, I just want to keep on putting together the wins, cause I love they was they cheer for me when I do! I’m going to keep it coming!
EastSideBoxing.com: Sure seemed Boston fans have welcomed you with open arms, as you moved to Irish Boston. Did you get that sense from the reception you received during your last fight night?
Orr: I have, yea. I can somehow relate, because the group I came from in Victoria, British Columbia, it a close knit place where everyone knows each other. Word travels fast, and you make friends easy.
EastSideBoxing.com: During your professional boxing career, your first twelve opponents to date have had a total of 54 wins. Your current opponent, Roberto Valenzuela, by himself, has racked up 44 wins. That’s a lot of experience for you to be facing Saturday night. What do you know of Valenzuela’s style, and what do you expect he is going to bring into the ring?
Orr: Well, I know he’s a straight up and down boxer. For a taller guy, at 5’ 11” he’s boxing at around 140 lbs for quite sometime. He seems to like to box inside a little bit. If he’s looking to get inside on me, I’ll accept that quite well, as I think I’m the stronger fighter than he may be. But if it comes to just a boxing match on the outside, I don’t think I’m second to anybody on that. I think to box with somebody with so much experience will be great, because I get a chance to learn myself. I think you are going to see me box and see my boxing skills with someone who is willing to engage me a little more than you saw did in my last match.
EastSideBoxing.com: What have you been doing to specifically train for Valenzuela’s style, and where and with whom have you been sparring?
Orr: Well, I’ve been sparring with a few people. I had a training camp in Phoenix, Arizona, for a while there, and training in the heat, its been great. I’ve been training with Hector Hernandez, another up and coming middleweight. I’ve been training with some taller light heavyweights, who have great speed, a couple of top guys in the US in the amateurs. So, I’ve been getting some speed, some height. We have a game plan that I hope to execute hopefully perfectly Saturday night, and if I can, I should be coming home with the victory.
EastSideBoxing.com: Donny, who’s working your corner on Saturday night?
Orr: I have Andrew Soto, who’s always in my corner, and my Dad, Don Orr, Sr. He broke his back two weeks ago in a terrible accident. But he’s managed to man up, and he jumped on a plane and came from Victoria for me, and he really put himself out, so I’m going to give a little extra effort for him, and for Alan, a friend of mine back in Arizona, who is struggling with brain cancer.
EastSideBoxing.com: What is your prediction for the outcome of your fight on Saturday night?
Orr: Predictions get people in trouble sometime! I’ve noticed that he likes watch the boxers, I see that he likes to pick it up a little bit in the later rounds, so, that being the case, maybe I might need to jump on him early.
EastSideBoxing.com: How does it feel to be on the card with John Duddy headlining?
Orr: Oh, its great. He’s got a huge name and a huge following, with a great Irish fan base. From what I know of the guy, he’s a real gentleman and very likeable person. I like to think I’m the same kind of person. So, if I hope I can make some friends and fan base, that’s a blessing for me too. So, good luck to him too.
EastSideBoxing.com: Donny, anything else you want to say to your fans at EastSideBoxing.com?
Orr: I just like to say, thanks very much, if anybody’s is following me on this. And thanks to EastSideBoxing for your coverage And I’ll keep on trying to do my best and to keep on bringing the wins home for you guys.
The fights are on this Saturday Night, June 28th, at The Castle at Park Plaza, located at 64 Arlington Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Tickets, priced $50 general admission, $75 and $100, may still be available by going on line at www.irishropes.com., and any remaining tickets will be sold at the door. Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bell rings at 7:30 .