Peter Manfredo
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Peter Manfredo | |
Statistics | |
---|---|
Real name | Peter Manfedo Jr. |
Nickname | The Pride of Providence |
Weight | Super Middleweight |
Nationality | American |
Birth date | November 26, 1980 |
Birth place | Providence, Rhode Island |
Style | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 29 |
Wins | 26 |
Wins by KO | 12 |
Losses | 3 |
Draws | 0 |
No contests | 0 |
Peter Manfredo Jr. (born November 26, 1980, Pawtucket, Rhode Island) is a professional boxer. He held the WBO and NABA Light Middleweight Titles and is a fully qualified electrician. Although he regularly wears the Italian flag on his trunks to show his heritage, he is officially listed by boxing commission as a representative of the US.
In 2005, he entered reality tv show The Contender, and was placed on the East Coast Team. He was challenged to fight Alfonso Gomez in the first fight, and lost—much to everyone's surprise. But when Jeff Fraza was withdrawn with chickenpox, he was bought back in—by "fate" he said. He beat Espino in his second chance at the first round, and went on to face Joey Gilbert in the second round. Here, an accidental headbutt stopped the fight, and Manfredo was given a win on points. He then was re-matched up with Gomez, who he beat, in the semi-final. A final against Sergio Mora awaited. He lost—his second career defeat.
Manfredo fought a second bout scheduled with Sergio Mora on October 15, 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Many ringside observers felt Manfredo won the fight convincingly, but Mora won by a controversial split decision.
Manfredo fought Scott Pemberton on February 2, 2006 to a sold out crowd in the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island on ESPN. It was his first fight at Super Middleweight, as he won by a dramatic 3rd round knockout. On October 14, 2006 Manfredo defeated Joey Spina with an impressive 3rd round TKO also at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
On November 9, 2006, Manfredo stated that he had a signed contract to fight long time Welsh legend and Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe. It was announced recently that Manfredo will face Calzaghe in his historical 20th title defense in March 3 on HBO with possibly Amir Khan making his HBO debut on the same card. This will be a tough fight for Peter, although Manfredo's camp believes their man can outbox Calzaghe quite easily, but most in the boxing world believe that beating one of Britain's finest boxers ever won't be such an easy task.
It was previously announced that due to a problem with the Venue, the fight with Calzaghe has been rescheduled for April 7, 2007. The fight is still being televised by HBO. It has been recently stated that Manfredo will be trained by none other than the contender host, Sugar Ray Leonard in hopes of improving his chances of defeating Calzaghe. As reported in the Pawtucket Times, Peter Manfredo Sr. said that it will be him training his son not Leonard. However Leonard will be in Manfredo's corner for the fight.