O’Malley primed for ‘Shobox’ shot at the big time

By Jay Mwamba

Martin O’Malley’s national TV debut on Showtime against Romania-born Leo "The Lion" Dorin in Atlantic City on July 21 is a dream come true for the County Wicklow-raised lightweight prizefighter.

"It’s been a long time coming," the 17-0 prospect said in New York last Friday, a day after his 26th birthday. "I’ve always wanted a fight like this and I’m surprised he took it. We’re both undefeated."

While defeat will not necessarily translate into a major disaster for O’Malley, an impressive victory over the two-time Olympic bronze medalist in the maiden event of Showtime’s new "ShoBox" boxing series at Bally’s Park Place would almost catapult him into world contender status.

"ShoBox: The New Generation" will feature up-and-coming prospects determined to make a mark and eventually fight for a chance at a world title.

"It puts me up there," O’Malley said. "If I win this bout, it will be a major boost for my career. But there’s definitely a risk on both sides.

"On paper this is definitely going to be my toughest fight. My plan is to make it as easy as possible. I want to win and look good."

O’Malley has been studying tapes of Dorin, who fights out of Canada, and says of his opponent: "He’s a good textbook fighter, but I can see that he still has a little amateur style."

Even though Dorin had close to 300 amateur fights and won a world championship at 132 pounds in 1995 to go with his bronze medals, O’Malley, 49-7 himself as an amateur, is in awe.

"Professional boxing is completely different," he noted.

On the 5-foot-4-inch Dorin’s power, O’Malley observed: "He has six knockouts and is not a sharp, precise puncher. But his punch has a thud to it."

A unanimous points winner over Mexican veteran Luis Lizarraga in his last fight, three months ago, O’Malley said he would have no problem going 10 rounds if the fight goes the distance.

"I’ve gone eight rounds once and if I can go eight rounds, I can go 10," he said.

Although dropped for the first time in his pro career by Lizarraga, he had his best round in the eighth and final stanza, proof, he pointed out, of his strong finishing power.

O’Malley is scheduled to spar with John "The Real Beast" Brown this week and plans to do two 10-round sessions with the top-ranked lightweight.

With a growing following in the New York area, he expects a large turnout of fans at Bally’s Park Place from both the East Coast and Seattle, where he has lived.

"A lot of people are coming from Seattle and the good thing is that that weekend, Showtime will be offering a free preview."