Injuries are an unfortunate part of sports. But one man’s pain turns into another man’s opportunity. And so it is for Chicago-born Dan “Danny Boy” Downes. Downes got the call from the WEC to replace Ed Ratcliff, another Chicago-born fighter, who had to pull out of the card due to injury. Downes will be fighting Chris Horodecki at WEC 49 in Edmonton on Sunday night.
Danny, 24, was born and raised in Mount Greenwood neighborhood and is an honors grad of St. Ignatius High School and Marquette University. He fights out of Milwaukee and under the training of Duke Roufos.
Downes holds a 6-0 pro record with 5 wins coming by way of TKO and 1 unanimous decision win. He signed a six-fight deal with the WEC, but has his work cut out for him in his debut. Horodecki is viewed as something of a wunderkind in the sport, and he will be fighting in front of his home crowd. Horodecki holds 2 wins over local fighter Bart Palaszewski and is 13-2 in his pro career. He did lose his WEC debut to Anthony Njokuani at WEC 45. Ratcliff fought Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at that event, so that speaks volumes to what the WEC thinks of Horodecki.
Downes last fight was a 1st round TKO of Bruce Johnson at King of the Cage on April 25th. So he’s definitely in shape and has been training. Should he pull off the win against Horodecki on Sunday, he’ll definitely open up plenty of eyes in the sport.
Local fighter and former WEC champion Eddie Wineland will also fight on the card. He takes on Will Campuzano at 135 lbs. Wineland has recorded 2 straight unanimous decision wins since losing Rani Yahya here in Chicago in April of 2009. Watch Downes and Wineland fight at WEC 49 Sunday night on Versus at 8pm.
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Dan, I saw your WEC debut Sunday night. I was impressed by your ability to take punches. You have a solid chin. However you ran out of gas too quick as I,m sure you are aware. You are young, long and have a great heart keep it up! I also realize you took this fight on short notice perhaps you had to cut weight too quickly I dont know. I have been watching MMA for a long time and I like you…………..stick with it buddy an iron chin is a thing that CANNOT be taught but can carry a fighter a long way! Look at Chris Leban a chin of stone Good luck I think you will do well in the future……… I was wrestler in high school and a good one I wish they had MMA back then I am 50 and too old to play but I will live it through kids like you! great job dont give up!!! Greg Alexander