Team O.Henry Press Release
American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, April 3, 2009 – Top Rank Boxing Promotion’s rising star Omar Henry (9-0, 8 KOs) continued his savage destruction of every opponent that matchmakers place in front of him. This time it was the 2nd round annihilation of Orphius Waite (5-1-1, 3 KOs) just a few feet from the beach in this laid back Gulf Coast city.
In a battle of undefeated prospects who have shared origins from Chicago, Illinois, Henry claimed his second “0” in three weeks after having wrecked formerly undefeated Francisco Javier Reza (6-1, 5 KOs) just outside of Dallas, TX, the evening before “The Event” featuring Manny Pacquiao’s victory over Joshua Clottey.
Henry lives and trains in Houston, TX, but he grew up in Chicago, so facing off with Waite who lives and trains in Chicago, was something personal for both. With the victory, Henry claims the unofficial Chicago top prospect title.
With this honor comes revenge and revenge is sweet. At the National Golden Gloves Championships on May 3rd, 2007 in Chattanooga, TN, in a quarterfinal matchup in the 165 lbs. division, Waite edged Henry via a 3-2 judge’s split decision. Waite’s team accepted the matchup in the pro ranks believing they had the superior fighter based upon that victory.
But Henry didn’t feel the same way about their amateur meeting, “I don’t feel like he ever beat me. My teammates from Texas and I all thought I had won the fight, so I feel like I had the mental advantage going into this meeting.”
O.Henry began the bout in his trademark fashion, testing his opponents chin with a constant barrage of high paced hooks uppercuts and pressure which has wilted all but one of his professional opponents thus far. With his herculean frame, Waite absorbed the punishment throughout the first round, and at times found his comfort zone and tried to work his bob and weave peak-a-boo style.
The Tyson-esque fighter wound up resembling one of Iron Mike Tyson’s victims in the end, looking like Trevor Berbick trying to raise himself from a knockdown, but failing and falling disoriented face first back into the canvas.
After actually sitting on his corner stool, a rarity for young Henry, and getting one minute of work from his cut man Joe Villanueva and instruction from trainer J.Johns, Omar began the second round with a much more controlled pressure and tighter stance and defense. The knockout came via a perfectly placed 1-2 combination jab followed by a powerful straight right hand which landed crushingly to Waite’s jaw crumbling him to the mat on all fours.
Omar exclaimed, “It felt so great, that’s why afterwards I just sat down on the canvas. I wanted to knock him out, but I really didn’t think it would be so quick and so vicious.” Henry thanks the great sparring that he received from New York City prospect Danny Jacobs who has been camping in the Bayou City which offers him great training and competition.
Ironically, up next for Omar is a return to the Windy City. His next scheduled bout is May 29th at the UIC Pavilion on a future installment of “Top Rank LIVE” televised by Fox Sports en Español and Fox Sports Net.
Henry continues to attend a full slate of college courses at Houston Community College as he prepares himself for future greatness both inside and outside the ring.
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