Ryan O’Rourke, the undefeated Dubliner dubbed “The Silent Assassin,” is a late addition to this Saturday’s Star Boxing card in White Plains, New York, featuring Harley Burke’s super middleweight scrap with Bronx fire fighter Louis Maietta.
O’Rourke [12-0, 3 KOs] takes on Ohio-based Senegalese Boubacar Sylla [12-1, 7 KO] in a battle of big welterweights scheduled for eight rounds at The Westchester County Center. At 5-feet-11, O’Rourke is an inch shorter than the 6-foot Sylla, a nine-year pro, who holds a 2017 victory over the then unbeaten Marlon Brown [7-0]. Sylla was a highly regarded amateur.
In Dublin last week ahead of their trip States-side, O’Rourke’s dad and trainer Steven said Ryan was ready for Sylla after a lengthy camp.
“We have been in camp since January with two fights camps falling through,” the senior O’Rourke told the Echo. “It doesn't matter for Ryan, this is his way of life. If he's not in camp he's still in the gym every day making improvements.
“We have covered everything to know about our opponent, that's my job. Ryan’s always prepared to a fantastic level of conditioning and fitness. We prepare for every fight like it's a world title.”
Part of his training was done in the UK where Ryan camps for sparring purposes. “It’s the best place in Europe to spar at Ryan’s weight. We can spar at any given time -- depending on other camps – with British champions and even European champions,” said Steven.
A regular on these shores, this will be O’Rourke’s fifth bout on a Star Boxing card, much to the delight of his father.
“Ryan has built a great American [following] and we are still building. The fan-friendly way Ryan fights has caught the American public’s [imagination]. We love the American boxing fans as well as the Irish boxing fans, who are the best [that] you can have supporting you.”
Fireworks are also anticipated in the Harley Burke-Louis Maietta rumble scheduled for six rounds.
Burke [9-0,7 KOs], has a knockout win over previously undefeated Raekwon Williams, and is coming off a unanimous decision over Tevin Terrance in Long Island last November. It was one of only two fights in which the Galway native, who's 29, has gone the distance.
Maietta, a FDNY fireman from the Bronx, is 6-4-2 [2 KOs]. The 30-year-old is also a fan favorite who has developed well over the past year. He has won three straight and stopped Santiago Torra last January in Colombia.
“Like Burke, Maietta is expected to bring a big contingency of fans. It will be the Yonkers vs. Bronx and Irish vs. Italian. This fight is what epitomizes the glory days of local boxing when fans are just as vested outside the ring as the fighters are inside the ring,” said Star Boxing.
