Professional Boxing Career
Henry was signed with the Las Vegas-based promotional company Top Rank Boxing from May 2009 until May 2011. Henry and Top Rank Promotions mutually agreed to part ways. In May 2011, Henry signed a deal with Don King Productions.
Henry won his professional debut on July 18, 2008, at the Reliant Arena in Houston Texas, against Terence Anderson knocking him out in 1:15 of the first round.
Henry has gone to win his next 9 out of 11 bouts by 1st round knockout.
Henry was named the number one prospect in a variety of boxing publications.
His performances, and his apparent "cloning" of the style of Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto, were enough to earn him an invitation to become the chief sparring partner for the #1 pound for pound boxer Manny Pacquiao. According to Pacquiao's conditioning coach Alex Ariza, Omar is very much like Cotto. “He moves like Cotto. He looks like Cotto. He’s got the same hair as Cotto. He wants to be like Cotto,”.
As of March 2012, Omar was hired on to be a sparring partner for Floyd Mayweather Jr. Henry was seen live on UStream partaking in a sparring session with the undefeated Mayweather, who is preparing for his upcoming fight against Miguel Cotto.
The Chicago-born puncher accepts the Cotto comparisons, “Yes, when I first turned pro all I did was watch Cotto fights. I had his whole collection on dvd and I really admired him!”
Henry, although grateful for the opportunity and the recognition, respectfully declined the invitation. Omar's college education has taken precedence over being a sparring partner.
Henry helped Mixed Martial Artist Nick Diaz train for his title defense against a renowned MMA Stiker, Paul Daley. Diaz won the fight by TKO, beating the British fighter at his own game, a tactic most did not expect. Diaz credited Henry in his victory speech and post-fight interviews.
Read more about this topic: Omar D. Henry
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