Rochester Boxing Legend Pat O’Connor Passes Away at 74

ROCHESTER — Pat O’Connor, a celebrated figure in the boxing world from Rochester, has passed away at the age of 74.

O’Connor died on Friday, May 23, 2025, from natural causes linked to Parkinson’s disease.

A proud member of the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame since 2014, O’Connor seemed destined for boxing greatness, although he often approached the sport with reluctance. He once admitted to a reporter, “I was sick of it at a young age. After winning the National Golden Gloves at 16, I was tired of it and wanted out.”

Despite his ambivalence, O’Connor’s boxing journey brought him both fame and fortune. Known for his remarkable athletic skill, charisma, and looks, he was described by a newspaper as “a marketer’s dream who could actually box.” Minnesota boxing historian Jake Wegner regarded O’Connor as one of the state’s finest fighters, peaking at No. 3 in the world for light-heavyweights.

Wegner stated, “Pat O’Connor was the most talented boxer we’ve had in the last 60 years. He had exceptional hand speed, footwork, and counterpunching skills, along with natural boxing instincts. Winning a Golden Gloves national title at 16 was significant, especially in a time when boxing rivaled baseball and football in popularity. When he returned to Rochester, the entire city, including the mayor, celebrated him.”

O’Connor’s professional boxing journey started at 18, and he achieved a record of 31-0 before finishing his career at 41-6 with 19 knockouts. One of his notable bouts was a hard-fought victory against Duane Horsman in 1969, where a broken hand did not deter his unanimous win amid a packed audience of over 4,000 fans.

Raised by his father Jack to embrace boxing, O’Connor started sparring at just four years old. He continued to excel, winning his first amateur fight at six and the Golden Gloves welterweight title at 16. Despite his successes, he faced personal struggles, including alcoholism and legal troubles. By the age of 50, he was on a path to recovery, striving to distance himself from negative influences from his past. “There aren’t any excuses. I’m the one who didn’t take care of business back in the boxing days,” he reflected. O’Connor leaves behind a legacy as Rochester’s greatest fighter.