UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Peter Manfredo Jr. and Angel Hernandez both threw and landed a lot of punches in their fight for the vacant International Boxing Organization middleweight title on Saturday at the Mohegan Sun Casino.
Manfredo landed the last punch.
After the former finalist on “The Contender” landed two left hooks, driving Hernandez into the ropes in the 10th round, referee Steve Smoger stepped in and stopped the fight, giving Manfredo the victory at 1:19.
“This world
championship took me ten years, actually, all my life to get,” said Manfredo, who is now 35-6 (19). “It’s very special.”
Hernandez tried to make the fight into a brawl in the first round, pinning Manfredo in a corner and landing some hard overhand rights.
In the second round, Manfredo used the ring more and established his jab. By the third round, Hernandez’ left eye was cut and swollen.
“It was not an easy fight,” Manfredo said. “He wanted to take me out. The kid is a bull. My dad [Peter Manfredo Sr., his trainer] said for me to use my jab and make it an easy fight. He’s tough. He’s crazy.”
In the fifth round, Hernandez closed the distance a little on Manfredo and continued to trade heavy shots. Hernandez was visibly tired and held occasionally, but he found enough energy to return fire until the fight was stopped.
“He got hit with a few shots,” said Peter Sr. “[Hernandez] came to win, but we knew eventually he’d break down.”
Manfredo was ahead on all three judges’ cards at the time of the stoppage. Steve Weisfeld and Roark Young had him up, 88-83
Manny and Glenn Feldman
Glenn Feldman had Manfredo leading, 87-84.
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(CARSON and his cuties!!!.. Mary missing from competition dance))
gooooooooooooooooo... ELITE!!! CARSON was excited to go up and get the awards!
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