Little Known ‘KO Sensation’ Returns Home Looking to Announce Himself on Zuffa Stage
While the spotlight on Saturday night’s Zuffa card at the 3Arena will naturally fall on the headline names, there is another Irish fighter on the bill that many fans may not yet know—but perhaps should.
Patrick O’Connor, an unbeaten cruiserweight with a perfect knockout record, returns to Dublin looking to make a statement on one of the biggest platforms of his young career.
Although he now fights out of the United States and proudly represents both the Stars and Stripes and the Tricolour, Ireland remains home for the 3-0 prospect, who lived here until the age of 11 before moving across the Atlantic.
Saturday is a chance for the heavy-handed cruiserweight to re introduce himself to the Irish fight fraternity.
“I had my first 10 amateur fights here,” O’Connor told Irish-Boxing.com.
“Now I’m coming back here for my fourth professional fight. It’s great to be back.
“I lived here until I was 11 years old. Now that I’ve gone to the US and I’m coming back, it’s definitely different from what I remember.”
The 21-year-old arrives in Dublin carrying serious amateur credentials. Across more than 200 bouts, he lost just 15 times, claimed 11 national titles and represented the United States at the World Games.
Those achievements helped earn him a contract with Zuffa Boxing, who have wasted little time showing their faith in the unbeaten puncher.
Rather than appearing on the preliminary portion of the show, the fighter with three knockouts from three fights has been handed the honour of opening Saturday night’s televised main card.
“It shows me what they think of me and where they rate me,” he said.
“I had a great amateur career, so I’ve got a big backing with Zuffa.”
Irish fans will be hoping to see some of the power Zuffa are advertising on display in the 3Arena on Saturday. Although the O’Connor is performance focused but admits he will be on a seek and destroy mission.
“There’s no pressure,” he explained.
“I just want to put on a great performance. I know if I put on a great performance, nobody will beat me.
“If the knockout comes, it comes. If it doesn’t, we’ll win on points. I’m ready for six rounds anyway. But expect fireworks.
“I’m coming out there with a great game plan. If the knockout comes, it comes. I’m definitely going to be looking for it.”
Fighting a boxer with a winning record and a five stoppages from six fights, The Punisher could be brought the distance for the first, although he doesn’t think that will be the case.
I’m prepared to do 10 rounds if it goes 10 rounds, but it’s only scheduled for six.
“I don’t think it’ll go six,” he adds before
