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In 2004, Peter Manfredo Jr. was one of the best up and coming prospects in the junior middleweight division. Hailing from the boxing rich city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, he had amassed a record of 21-0 (10), winning the EBA, IBU and WBO NABO titles along the way. It seemed the New England boxing scene had spawned its next star. The torch had finally passed from former five time world champion Vinny Pazienza to a new era.
Manfredoʼs style was nothing like that of “The Pazmanian Devil”. Peter was a boxer while Vinny was more of a brawler, beating men with skill rather than all out aggression. He had decent speed, a little pop and what seemed like all the potential in the world. He was starting to make some noise in the division.
On Tuesday, July 18, 2004, The Contender reality show aired on NBC for the first time. Manfredo had gotten his break for mainstream exposure. He and 15 other fighters would face each other in an elimination style contest for fame and fortune. Manfredo was a clear favorite being seen as one of the most experienced and skilled fighters on the show.
Peter Manfredoʼs undefeated record fell on August 18, 2004 during a taping of the show to a virtually unknown fighter by the name of Alfonso Gomez, who at the time, sported a lack luster record of 10-2-1 (4). In a hard fought five round bout, Peter was defeated via unanimous decision, leaving the show dejected and without his 0.
As luck would have it, Jeff Fraza, another contestant on the Contender Series, fell ill with chickenpox and could no longer continue. This left the series short one fighter to complete the tournament, so it was left up to the fighters on which fallen comrade would they vote back on the show; their choice was Manfredo.
Peterʼs return to the show was a successful one, wining all his bouts enroute to the finale. His wins included decisions over Miguel Espino, Joey Gilbert and a rematch with Alfonso Gomez.
He would soon meet the undefeated “Latin Snake”, Sergio Mora, at Caesarʼs Palace where he would fall short of winning the finale. Although the fight was very competitive, Sergio clearly won, showing more energy in the late rounds.
They would have a rematch at the Staples Center in Moraʼs backyard in LA on October 15, 2005. Peter would again lose in a hotly debated, questionable decision. Manfredo, with new trainer Freddy Roach in his corner, seemed to pull out a solid win but it ended in a fairly close split decision for Mora.
It was after this bout that he and his team made the decision to no longer fight at the 154 lb weight limit and decided on 168 lb, totally bypassing the middleweight division.
Peter would have a good year in 2006, beating former IBF title challenger Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton by impressive third round TKO and also dominate crosstown rival and fellow 168 lb contender, Joey “KO Kid” Spina by third round TKO.
Riding on the two impressive wins in 2006 and his Contender fame, Manfredo was pitted against undisputed world super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe on April 7, 2007. The fight was a total mismatch. Calzagheʼs fast hands took control quickly and Peterʼs skills were no match for that of the undefeated champion and the fight was stopped at 1:30 into the third round.
The stoppage was seen by most as premature since Manfredo was never in any real trouble when the halt came about, yet most fight fans who witnessed the affair would agree that the bout would have been halted a few rounds down the line as Calzaghe was clearly dominating the smaller Rhode Island native.
With in two months of his world title challenge, Manfredo took on journeyman Ted Mueller, winning a ninth round TKO and then Contender 2 star David Banks. In the Banks bout, all three judges scored it 97-93 in Manfredoʼs favor.
On December 8, 2007, Peter Manfredo received another great opportunity. He was placed on the undercard of Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweatherʼs title fight, “Undefeated”. The man on the opposing corner would be none other then fellow Calzaghe victim, former IBF super middleweight world champion Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy. Manfredo had a second chance to show the world that he could fight on a world class level, as Lacy was ranked in the top ten.
The first few rounds were very tentative with neither fighter throwing much of anything. Manfredo looked good; he was up on his toes, sticking his jab out and seemed to be winning rounds. Not by much, but winning them nonetheless.
In round four, Lacy finally was able to land a solid blow on Manfredo and send him down to the canvas. Peter never looked hurt, but surprised that the punch knocked him down. That seemed to be the beginning of the end for the contender from New England. Manfredo, whether due being tired or fear of “Left Hookʼs” power, began to resort to a virtually nonexistent inside fight.
Manfredo went into a defensive shell and showed more of a desire to not lose rather then to win. He lost the decision to Lacy and had yet again underperformed on a world wide stage. Once again, Peter Manfredo Jr., as he had in the Calzaghe fight, looked like a deer in the headlights. The fight was a disappointment to Manfredo and Lacy fans alike as it had little action, barring a cut for Lacy due to a clash of heads.
On March 14, 2008, Manfredo Jr. got back on his horse against a highly inexperienced Shane Benfield, 17-1, at the Twin Rivers Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island and stopped the South Carolina man with a body shot in the sixth round.
Peterʼs move to super middleweight has been hotly debated. Why the move from 154 all the way up to 168? Ricky Hatton showed recently that even a seven pound jump, such as when he left the 140 lb division to campaign 147 lb against Luis Collazo, could be difficult.
Manfredo claims to not be able to make the weight anymore. Why not try the middleweight class on for size? Nothing was more showing that he does not belong at super middleweight more than the weigh-in photos of him standing next to Lacy, who seemed to tower over him.
Manfredo Jr. has solid boxing ability and defense and would be formidable at 160 lbs. Peter should, at this point, be looking for fights with the likes of John Duddy and Andy Lee.
I do not see a future for Peter Manfredo Jr. at super middleweight, but I do see a future and a bright one.
Manfredo was once one of the young up and coming shining stars of the sport. If he has the ability to recapture that luster than the sky is the limit. Only time and good decision making on his handlersʼ parts will tell. Good luck, Peter.
