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04/23/09

Manfredo looking Green (towards Duddy)

PROVIDENCE (April 23, 2009) – As he heads back to the middleweight division, former world title challenger Peter Manfredo, Jr., rejuvenated by his impressive seventh-round knocked out of Walid “Tempete de Sable” Smichet last Saturday, has his sites set on “Ireland’s” John Duddy.

The 28-year-old Manfredo (32-6, 16 KOs), star of The Contender, Season I, is unable to attend Duddy’s fight tomorrow night (Apr. 24) in Newark, but he’ll be represented there by his promoter, Jimmy Burchfield (CES president), and father/trainer, Peter Manfredo, Sr.

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“I was very happy getting a big win against Smichet, especially coming off my defeat to (Sakio) Bika,” Manfredo, Jr. said. “I boxed well, used my head and the knockout came at the end. I’m not where I want to be, yet. A couple of more wins and I’ll be ready for any middleweight. I’m a fighter, that’s what I do. I’ll fight anybody my promoter (Burchfield) and manager (Larry Army) put in front of me. Not too far down the road I want John Duddy. Knocking out Smichet, something Duddy couldn’t do was a plus for me. He’s a great guy and good fighter. We can make some money together. More importantly, though, it’s a fight that fans want and boxing needs; Italian versus Irish between two tough, exciting fighters.

“The last three years I fought as a super middleweight but I should have been fighting as a middleweight. The top super middleweights were just too big for me. When I lost the second fight to (Sergio) Mora – I really didn’t lose that fight – I felt that The Contender people would go with him and I wasn’t going to be their man. I thought moving up to super middleweight would be better for my career. I had good fights against (Scott) Pemberton and (Joey) Spina, then the call came to fight (Joe) Calzaghe for the world title. I got use to fighting at that heavier weight. But I want to be world champion and that’s why I’m going back to 160 pounds.”

The tentative plan calls for Manfredo to have two or three more fights before a high-profile bout against Duddy or, if he can’t get the Irishman into a fight, possibly Canadian champion Sebastien Demers. “We’d take a fight against Duddy right now,” Burchfield explained, “but it makes more sense to wait until after a couple of more fights for both of them. I’ve believed in Peter all along and I’ve never left his side. Some doubters felt he was all done after the Bika fight but he proved himself with a devastating knockout of Smichet. Some have said Peter can’t punch but that (Smichet) may be the Knockout of the Year. It was a tremendous confidence builder. I couldn’t have written the script better than it turned out against Smichet.

“Peter’s next fight will be at 163-164 and then 160. I think Manfredo-Duddy can be like Gatti-Ward or, even though it wasn’t the same ethnic-type fight, Paz-Haugen. Boxing wants to see fights like Manfredo-Duddy – it’s what boxing is about.”

Manfredo, Sr. liked what he saw from his son in Montreal. “He showed his boxing skills and that he was willing to listen,” he added. “He stopped a tough guy. Peter looked good and his defense was much better. He’s strong at this weight and will be even stronger at 160. Duddy’s a good fighter but we believe Peter is better. I like the potential Gatti-Ward comparisons; good for boxing and both camps. Everybody can come out on the plus side. It will be a barnburner, action-packed, one the public wants and needs.”

Go to www.cesboxing.com for more information about Classic Entertainment and Sports and Manfredo.

02:12:59 pm

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Comment from: Roche Christopher [Member]

Here is what I wrote two years ago...5/2/2007

"Fight I Would like to See and Why (3 Reasons)

“Ireland’s” John Duddy, 19-0 (15 KOs) vs. Peter “The Pride of Providence” Manfredo, Jr., 26-4 (12 KOs).

1. This fight would sell an enormous amount of tickets. It would be a MAJOR event. I suggest the great City of Boston for the venue to capitalize on the regional rivalry and the international flair. Manfredo, Jr. would draw from New England, but it will not be on his home court. Duddy’s fans will travel anywhere to see him fight, and the Irish population in Boston is legendary. The storylines run deep, but defense would not be the headline. If the bout took place in my dream location, the undercard could feature some of the up and coming Providence fighters I spoke about in the last column, link here as well as some of the rising Irish Fighters such as James Moore, Andy Lee or the Clancy Brothers, for example. (Keep in mind I realize this is pure fantasy, as contractual and promotional obligations often get in the way of a great show).

2. Both fighters would make a lot of money (actually everyone involved would make a lot of money). I believe boxers are elite athletes, and they deserve to be paid as well as athletes in other professional sports. Duddy and Manfredo, Jr. have excellent fan bases, and this would be a chance for both pugilists to showcase their skills in front of a huge crowd and add a nice chunk of change to their rainy day funds from huge ticket sales and television revenue.

3. Both fighters would have a lot to gain from a victory. Although Manfredo, Jr. lost to Calzaghe as a super-middleweight, he is two inches shorter than Duddy, and he could easily drop to middleweight. A victory over Duddy would give Manfredo, Jr. a high-profile win over a tough opponent, and it would move him toward elite status. A victory for Duddy would silence his critics who say he does not fight opponents who are in their primes. I heard rumblings that Duddy’s last two wins came against worn Yory Boy Campas and 36 year-old Anthony Bonsante. A victory over Manfredo, Jr. would have the critics eating crow, and it would give Duddy the confidence to make a run at the world’s elite."

04/23/09 @ 14:17