User:Chriscella/Vinny O'Brien

Vinny O'Brien (born January 13, 1987) is an American professional boxer from East Hanover, New Jersey. He is the former 2010 New Jersey Golden Gloves champion. and scheduled to make his professional debut at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on March 5, 2011.

Amateur career
O'Brien got his start in boxing at the age of 20. A former wrestler since the sixth grade, Vinny always gravitated towards individual sports and competitions, and once he put on boxing gloves for the first time, he knew he found his calling. In his first sparring session he was put against a fighter who has been boxing for over two years and had four fights under his belt. In the second round of the sparring session Vinny knocked the fighter to the canvas, and from that point on he realized he could go somewhere in the sport.

In 2008, he made it to the finals of the New Jersey Golden Gloves tournament before losing a tough decision by two points to end his hopes of winning the title. Following the loss he took a step back and analyzed his relationship with his coach at the time, and what needed to be done for him to make another run at the championship. Taking the outcome of the fight and all things that led up to the loss into consideration, O’Brien decided he need to sever ties with his coach.

After the tournament and going his separate ways with his coach O'Brien had a layoff from boxing of nearly two years due to working full time and looking for the right coach.

O'Brien then crossed paths with former heavyweight boxer and knockout artist Lou Esa. O’Brien and Esa spoke intently about not only making it to the Golden Gloves tournament but winning the title.

The two worked together in preparation for the 2010 New Jersey Golden Gloves. In each round of the tournament O'Brien proved the relentless he and Esa put in paid off as he devastated one fighter after another in route to the finals. In the championship fight O'Brien showed that he was the best fighter in the weight class, and won the title he worked so hard to get. He was named "Outstanding Boxer of the Night".

Professional career
O'Brien is scheduled to make his professional debut on March 5 with Main Events on the undercard of the 140 pound IBF championship fight between Zab Judah and Kaizer Mabuza which is going to be held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.