South Yorkshire Times, February 11, 1967
O’Rorke Hopes National Sporting Club Bout will Mark His Come-Back
Conisbrough boxer Pat O’Rorke is planning a come-back after more than 12 months out of the ring. The 24-year-old lightweight is helping to fight Al Rocco, of Manchester, at the Northern Sporting Club at the end of March. His last fight was in November, 1965, when he lost to Ivor Drew in London.
A badly broken hand hampered him in that fight, and he retired from the ring until his injury had healed, but he now believes it is strong enough to continue.
“When I saw John McMullen take Scottish lightweight champion Kenny Buchanan to a points decision recently, it decided me to make a comeback, as I have beaten McMullen twice,” Pat, who lives at 82, Chestnut Grove, Conisbrough, told me.
In Good Fettle
“I have been keeping myself in good trim, and my weight is still about 10 stone, so I think I have at least six years boxing in me,” he added.
“The hand gave me a lot of pain in my last fight, and I could not hit with it, but now I think I am ready for anyone.”
A native of Scotland, Pat took up boxing about 12 years ago, and as a member of Doncaster Plant club reached the finals of the A.B.A championships and won the N.C.B. title.
He turned professional in 1964 and won 24 of his 29 flights, although several times he had to fight as a welterweight and give away several pounds to his opponents.
He spends much of his spare time training a squad of boxes at the Tom Hill youth club, Denaby Mane, and has great hopes for some of them.
Potential Champions
“You cannot rush them into fights, as this is their first full season, but it would not surprise me if there is a future champion among them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pat’s manager, Ken Richardson, of Retford, is trying to arrange the fight with Rocco which Pat hopes will be the first step in his own ambition to become lightweight champion.