Romanian Star Shines In Canada

By Ed Ludwig

21.09.01 - Leonard Doroftei began his amateur boxing career in his native Romania. He is a two time Olympic bronze medallist. After Doroftei left for greener pastures in Montreal Canada, he signed with INTERBOX and soon after began his professional career. Now known as Leonard Dorin he has compiled an undefeated record of eighteen wins with seven knockouts.

Leonard Dorin made his professional debut in 1998 winning a four round decision over Jerry Villereal. In his fifth bout against Michael Balagna, Dorin scored a brutal one round knockout. Balagna should never have been in the same ring with Dorin. Since then his level of competition has improved with each fight.

Last year he met Gary St. Clair in Montreal and it was a war from start to finish. St. Clair stunned Dorin in the tenth and final round but he survived to win a decision. With victories over St. Clair, Bernard Harris and veteran Verdell Smith and his knockout victory over Martin O'Malley, Dorin will be in tough against Emanuel Burton.

Burton is a seasoned veteran at twenty-six years of age. Meanwhile Leonard Dorin made his pro debut at twenty-eight. Both guys are coming off big fights and this should be a war. We all know there is no quit in Burton coming off his recent bout with Micky Ward and Dorin was in tough against Gary St. Clair and he withstood the pressure.

Leonard Dorin will be taking a big step up in his fight with Emanuel Burton but the one fact that concerns me is that Dorin has only fought once this year and at his age he should be in the ring more often as time is not on his side and with all the wars Burton has been in how much does he have left?

This should be an action packed fight with the winner guaranteed more television exposure and a bigger payday. For Dorin this is a fight he has to win to keep his career alive and to create an identity to fans outside of Romania and Canada. With INTERBOX strongly behind him his career can only get better with each victory.

The Leonard Dorin vs. Emanuel Burton bout will be broadcast live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights on September 28th. Visit www.interbox.ca for more information on Leonard Dorin and the INTERBOX promotion.