Massachusetts Native Charles Rosa: Dream Come True To Fight At Garden

Charles Rosa always pictured himself under the bright lights of the Boston Garden, fighting an opponent as his family and friends cheered him on.

He’ll get his chance at the TD Garden in Beantown against fellow featherweight prospect Sean Soriano on Jan. 18, but it’s not going to be the way he once visualized it.

“I grew up watching the Celtics and the Boston Bruins, mostly the Bruins, in the Boston Garden, always wishing as a little kid that I could play hockey there,” the Peabody, Mass., native said. “My ultimate dream was to maybe get into a hockey fight at the Boston Garden and be able to be on the Bruins, but it worked out a little differently, which I think is even better. I get to fight in the UFC and I have everybody on my side.”

From hockey to lacrosse to mixed martial arts, the New Englander has fit a lot of life into his 28 years, and while he’s still got plenty of time to go in order to reach his other goals in life and his career, Rosa’s first fight at home as a member of the UFC roster will always feel like a seminal moment.

“Growing up, all my role models were sports players,” he said. “Tom Brady, Ray Bourque, and guys like that. When I was a little kid, Ray Bourque was the first player to give me his autograph and I really felt special. And now it’s pretty cool because sometimes kids come up to me and ask me for my autograph. It’s come full circle and it gives me a good feeling inside. And I know the more I win the more I can represent my town.”