Peter Manfredo JR Collides with Angel Hernandez at Mohegan Sun this Saturday for the IBO Middleweight Title
—————————————————————————————————————————-
By Geno McGahee
This Saturday, at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, TKO Boxing Promotions presents former Contender star and now actual contender, Peter Manfredo, JR., 34-6, 18 KO’s, will be battling Angel Hernandez, 30-7, 17 KO’s, for the IBO Middleweight Title.
Manfredo, JR., campaigned for a long time as a super middleweight, taking on some of the best that the division had to offer. He has faced Joe Calzaghe, Jeff Lacy, and Sakio Bika. He has come up short against all three, but he was competitive with Lacy and may have been able to win had he shown more gumption. He has fought once as a middleweight since his campaign at 168 pounds, dominating Matt Vanda over the course of ten rounds and winning the NABF Middleweight Title.
Leading into this opportunity, Manfredo, JR., stated: “It’s been a great camp; I’ve put in the all the work and I’m right where I need to be on weight. Angel is a very tough fighter who’s faced some outstanding guys in his career and weathered their storms. I need to be smart, I’m in great shape and ready to go to war.” He mustn’t underestimate his opponent this Saturday night.
Angel Hernandez may not have the most impressive record in the world, but what is impressive were his performances in his last two outings. He defeated James McGirt, JR., by unanimous decision and then stopped Antwun Echols. He has been in the ring with Winky Wright (L-12), Kassim Ouma (L-12) and Vanes Martirosyan (L-10). He can be outworked but his last two victories show an improvement in both confidence and focus. Going into a world title opportunity will be not taken lightly and Manfredo, JR., will have to be on his toes and ready for a battle.
In a ten round supporting bout, Matt Remillard, 21-0, 12 KO’s, will be facing Carlos Rivera, 16-4-2, 5 KO’s, in a featherweight bout. Remillard is not known for his big punch but he has stopped three of his last four opponents and appears to be sitting down on his shots more. He currently holds and will be defending the NABF Featherweight Title against Rivera. Rivera has won seven of his last eight fights against suspect opposition, but he will be seeking a victory over the favored local boy.
Super featherweight Logan McGuinness, 10-0, 4 KO’s, will be in action against the grizzled veteran, Walter Estrada, 35-13, 24 KO’s, a loser in eight of his last nine fights. In his defense, he has been put in there with just about every undefeated prospect in the division. He is at a certain level, able to beat the C levels but unable to compete with the B level and above. McGuinness will have to show he belongs in the B level and above and give Estrada another defeat.
The rest of the undercard features light welterweight Danny O’Connor, 11-0, 3 KO’s, taking on Broderick Antoine, 10-9-1, 5 KO’s, in a six round bout, Adelita Irizarry, 7-4, 2 KO’s, facing Kita Watkins, 5-6, 1 KO, in a six round welterweight female collision, undefeated light welterweight Joseph Elegele, 6-0, 4 KO’s, will duke it out with John DeJean, 3-3-1, 3 KO’s, and power-punching middleweight, J’Leon Love, 4-0, 4 KO’s, will be facing Fernando Calleros, 1-1-1, 1 KO, in a four rounder.
Mohegan Sun is one of my favorite fight venues and will be hosting this great card this Saturday night. Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and meeting destinations in the United States. Situated on 240 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com.
Priced at $125.00, 60.00 and $30.00, advance tickets are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com, phone 1-800-745-3000.) and the Mohegan Sun Box Office. Doors on the evening of the event will open at 6:30pm with the first bell at 7:30pm.