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| Successful comeback for the Pride of Providence |
That is not a mistake "The Pride of Providence" Peter Manfredo Jr (38-7 w/ 20KOs) wanted to make and by choosing trial horse Rayco "War" Saunders (22-19-1 w/ 9KOs) as his comeback opponent, he set himself up nicely for a successful return in front of loyal hometown fans at a packed Twin River Casino ballroom just a few miles from his hometown of Providence.
Fighting for the first time since being stopped by Julio Cesar Chavez Jr last November in a bid for the WBC middleweight title, Peter Manfredo Jr stepped into a CES boxing ring last night safe in the knowledge that his opponent would offer little more than a good chin and a chance for Manfredo to get in some much needed rounds.
Rounds is exactly what the 32 year old Manfredo got - all ten of them.
Using a jab, right hand, and a follow-up left to the body, Manfredo Jr outboxed and outfought Saunders, who offered only minimal resistance. Maybe Hatton should have fought Saunders, he might have won and spared us the sad the sight of seeing him cry in the ring. Saunders had his one and only moment in the 5th, buzzing Manfredo with a right hand or two over the top but by round's end, Manfredo was back in control. With whatever drama the 38 year old Saunders planned to bring now spent, Manfredo continued his attack in the second half of the fight controlling Saunders with the jab, right hand, left to the body, and the occasional uppercut. Punch, push Saunders back, reset. Punch, push Saunders back - you get the picture.
It was all more than enough for Manfredo to earn a unanimous decision and make a triumphant return to the ring in spite of protestations from his father Peter Manfredo Sr. Scoring was a formality. Saunders won one round on one judge's card. Said the smiling winner afterwards, "Tonight I felt good after the longest layoff I've ever had. I do this for my family. Freddie Roach and his gym did a great job with me for seven weeks and I showed it tonight. This is the first step back."
On the undercard:
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| Gardner wins against Amparo |
Tylon Burris TKO2 Kevin Cobbs (light heavyweights) - After an even worse start than in his last fight, house fighter Kevin Cobbs was defeated by Hartford, CT's Tylon Burris. Hurt by a body shot early in the opening round, Cobbs was dropped by a straight right later in the first and in the second round, he was finished off by the hyper aggressive and speedy Burris. After eating a pair of right hooks, Cobbs found himself helpless on the ropes and taking a beating when the ref jumped in to save him. Cobbs falls to 6-1 w/ 2KOs while Burris improves to 4-0 w/ 3KOs. Time was 1:19.
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| Shelito digs in against Rosie |
Shelito Vincent W6 Rosie Thomas (female bantamweights) - Fighting for the first time against a determined opponent trying to win, the popular Shelito Vincent answered her first test as a pro, pounding out a unanimous decision over the game but ultimately outgunned Rosie Thomas. Vincent got hit a bit but she didn't let it slow her down or keep her from punching back. Fighting out of Providence RI, Vincent improves to 6-0 while the Ottawa, Canada native Rosie Thomas drops to 2-1. Scores in favor of Vincent: 60-54, 60-54, and 59-55.
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| Another scary CES mismatch |
Zack Ramsey KO1 Michael Lambert (welterweights) - Springfield, MA's Zack Ramsey is a good young prospect. Tonight he made ridiculously short work of the hopelessly overmatched Michael Lambert (0-1 from Mobile, Alabama) knocking him down twice in the first round while the crowd literally laughed at how easily Lambert was dispatched. Ramsey goes to 3-0 w/ 3KOs. Time was 1:15 of the opening round.
KO Digest Ringside Report - Twin River, RI (11/29/12)
Images & Words by Jeffrey Freeman
