Rosenblatt, Dana

A super-middleweight who won three world titles during his career, Rosenblatt wore a Magen David on his trunks and speaks often of the importance of being a Jewish fighter. On June 28, 2002, Dana stepped into the ring for the first time in almost two years following a series of injuries and scheduling mishaps. In his fight against Juan Carlos Viloria of Columbia, Rosenblatt was accidently head-butted by his opponent in the third round, causing a deep cut and an end to the bout, which was ruled a technical draw. Dana -- who was in control of the fight at the time of the head-butt -- retired in August 2003 with a record of 37 wins, one loss, and two draws.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. January 26, 1972

Career Highlights:
Rosenblatt turned professional in 1992 and quickly had success in the middleweight division. After knocking out all six opponents his first year, Rosenblatt continued to win. In April 1996, he knocked out Howard Davis in the second round to capture his first title, the WBU middleweight championship. Four months later, Rosenblatt lost the title to Vinny Pazienza on a fourth-round technical knockout. In January 1997, during a bout with Glenwood Brown, Dana realized that something was wrong with his right hand. He said, "I knew right away that it was broken. My hand pulsated. I couldn't make a fist. Every right hand I threw, my glove was open. I danced the rest of the way. It was an important fight for me and I needed the win." Rosenblatt did win, but it was a costly victory -- he was not able to fight again for fourteen months.

But neither the injury nor the time it robbed from his career stopped Rosenblatt's climb up the middleweight rankings. In September 1998, Dana captured a 12-round split decision over champion Terry Norris to capture the IBA middleweight crown. The following year, Dana avenged the only defeat of his career when he defeated Vinny Pazienza in a 12-round split decision that added the IBO Super-Middleweight crown to Rosenblatt's collection of world championship titles. Dana's star seemed very much on the rise.

After a victory over Will McIntyre on a 12-round decision on October 13, 2000, however, Rosenblatt's career went in an undesired direction. A hand fracture and injuries to both shoulders, added to scheduling conflicts, kept Dana out of the ring for the next 20 months, causing him to drop in the world rankings. In May 2001, he was ranked in the top ten of three of the four major organizations, and was the No. 2 contender in the WBA (No. 6 in WBO, No. 10 in WBC, and unranked in IBF). Currently, however, Dana is not ranked among the top ten contenders in any of the organizations.

While recovering from his injuries in 2001 and early 2002, he worked for Countrywide Home Loans to make money and keep busy. Still, he itched to return to the ring, observing: "Writing mortgages is fine, but this is who I am and what I am. I definitely want to get back in the ring." On June 28, 2002, Rosenblatt finally did step back into the ring, and although he was disappointed with the technical draw against Juan Carlos Viloria. In August 2003, Dana retired from the ring as one of the best Jewish boxers in history.

Origin:
Malden, Massachusetts

Physical description:
5'9-1/2", 167 pounds

Career Statistics:
Professional record:
Wins: 37 (23 by knockout)
Losses: 1
Draws: 2

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