UNCASVILLE, Conn. (August 16, 2012) – Former World Boxing Union middleweight champion “Dangerous” Dana Rosenblatt, who is an incoming member of the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame’s (CBHOF) Class of 2012, retired 10 years ago from the ring and has become a highly successful mortgage broker.
All of the 2012 CBHOF Hall of Fame inductees, as well as this year’s CBHOF award winners, will be honored on Saturday night, November 17 at the 8th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Gala Induction in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun.
The 40-year-old Rosenblatt (37-1-2, 23 KOs) was forced to hang up his gloves due to a series of injuries that, unfortunately, hampered his effectiveness and kept him out of the ring for long stretches.
“I never finished all I wanted to do and stopped fighting at 30, not because I wanted to, but I had to because of my hand and shoulder injuries,” Rosenblatt explained. “It just got so inconsistent (fighting) and then I got a shot (mortgage broker) at what I could consistently do for the rest of my life. I would have kept boxing if I could but it was injury after injury. I hit the mortgage business at the right time and built it to where it is today. I hit it right.”
The newest class of CBHOF inductees also include former World Boxing Association (WBA) light middleweight champion “Tremendous” Travis Simms, five-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach, promoter Jimmy Burchfield (Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.), manager George Cruz and the late manager/promoter Lou Viscusi.
The 2012 award winners are Tony “TNT” Grano, Conn. Professional Boxer of the Year; Elvis Figueroa, Conn. Amateur Boxer of the Year; Dick Flaherty, Official of the Year; Mitchell Etess, Contributor To Boxing
Rosenblatt fought 13 times as a professional in Connecticut, winning 12 with one draw. He fought out of Malden (MA), resides with his family in Brookline (MA), and works at Reliant Mortgage in Beverly (MA).
In 1996, Dana won the WBU middleweight title in 1996, stopping 1976 U.S. Olympian Howard Davis in the second round at the Fleet Center in Boston. Dana added the International Boxing Association (IBA) middleweight title belt to his collection in 1998 with a win by 12-round decision over four-time World champion Terry Norris. A year later, Rosenblatt avenged his lone loss as a pro by way of a 12-round decision against 2011 CBHOF inductee Vinny Paz at Foxwoods Resort Casino for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) super middleweight championship.
“I’ve been going to the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame induction dinner for 6 years,” Rosenblatt said. “It’s a nice ceremony. I think it’s good that they reached out to guys who aren’t from Connecticut but who made an impact fighting at the casinos (Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun) there. I fought there a lot and had some of my most significant fights there. I’m happy to be going in the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame.
“I have nothing to do with boxing today. I still watch and go to some fights, but I’m not involved in boxing. I spend most of my time working, it’s an hour drive to and from home to my office, and watching my two daughters – ages 11 and 6 – grow up.”
Tickets for the CBHOF 8th annual Gala Induction Dinner, reasonably priced at $75.00, are on sale now by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (1.860-.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer (1.800.237.3606 X321). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET, cocktails at 6 p.m. ET, followed by dinner.
Go online to www.ctboxinghof.com for more information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame.