Ding, Ding

At the first pre-fight press conference of his professional career, Will Rosinsky did not seem like the cocksure amateur champion who taunted opponents in the ring and has drawn an immense following. He spoke softly of not letting anyone down. He nodded to writers and spoke in admiration of his peers.
Finally, at the end of his brief speech, the real Rosinsky emerged, “I’m not looking to be a world champion,” he said, that confident grin returning. “I want to be a Hall-of-Famer.”
Such bravado is one reason why promoters have eyed the Archbishop Molloy graduate for years, as he was winning four consecutive New York Golden Gloves crowns and a National Golden Gloves title. Of course, his natural talent, an affinity to throw series of combinations with power behind them, was paramount. Carl Moretti the longtime matchmaker for Arturo Gratti, has compared Rosinsky to the former welterweight champion, for his warrior mentality and relentless attack.
“He might not have the same exact fighting style, but every time he gets in the ring he’s going to be all blood and guts,” said Keith Connolly, Rosinsky’s advisor. “Will Rosinsky has never been in a boring fight.”
Alas, even before he makes his pro debut at B.B. King Blues Club in Manhattan for the latest installment of the Lou DiBella-promoted Broadway Boxing as a light heavyweight, Rosinsky, 23, already has a name. Of the 550 tickets available, 300 have gone to those who are fans of the Queens College graduate. Many in attendance will no doubt be wearing the “Got Will Power?” t-shirts that have become de rigueur at his amateur bouts.
Rosinsky has impressed DiBella with his ring presence and command, when to attack and when to sit back, how to play to the crowd. But there wasn’t one skill in particular that piqued the local promoter’s interest.
“It was the whole package,” said DiBella, who is actively in talks with Connolly to sign Rosinsky. “He has a following and he has the talent to satisfy that following. The kid carries himself like he wants to be a star, and I think he can be. That’s the kind of kid I want to work with.”
Rosinsky knows he has to change his style somewhat. In the amateurs, rounds were shorter, two minutes compared to three in the pro game, and they were scored based on the number of punches thrown instead of accuracy and power. Rosinsky has been working on punching less and landing more, using his speed to hurt his opponent.
“I want to sit down on my punches,” he said. “Throw them to hurt.”
Rosinsky spent the last two years deciding when - and if - to turn pro. He flip-flopped between making a career out of the sweet science and becoming a physical education teacher. A month before this year’s Golden Gloves, he took time off. It was at that point he decided his immediate future.
“I was like a caged animal,” he said. “I relaxed, had some fun, but personally it made me feel terrible. I felt out of shape. I wanted to be back in the gym so bad.”
So he decided to go back - for good. He will earn his physical education degree from Queens College after completing student teaching classes at St. Francis Prep and P.S. 207 in Howard Beach. When his career ultimately ends, Rosinsky will turn to teaching. But before that, he has grand plans.
“I want to be remembered,” he said, “to be one of the best.”