CES Boxing: Manfredo Confident Going Into November 13 Bout Against Bika

Two-time world title challenger “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr., runner-up in Season One of The Contender, finds himself training at home in a comfort zone as he prepares for his IBO super middleweight title fight November 13 against Sakio “The Scorpian” Bika, winner of Season Three of The Contender, at the newly renovated Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

Manfredo, 31-5 (16), the reigning NABF Interim champion, is the WBC No. 13 rated super middleweight. Fighting in front of his hometown fans, “The Pride of Providence” sports a perfect 16-0 (10) record in Rhode Island, including 3-0 (3) in the same Providence building as his Nov. 13 showdown against Bika. Manfredo’s five pro career losses have all come at the hands of world champions.

“I’m a family man, blue collar guy who goes to the gym and takes care of business. I’m a fighter, not a reality star, who is going to become world champion November 13th fighting in front of his family and friends in Providence. All of my best fights have been in Rhode Island, especially at The Dunk, and being in a comfort zone is the main reason. I never really loved boxing or training until now.

“You know I hated going to the gym in California. Freddie Roach is a great trainer, but I missed being home with my family. I made amends with my father and now live in the gym, do my work, and go home everyday to my family. You may not have your fans in the ring with you, but you know that there in the arena. It’s much better sleeping in my own bed, eating food I like, and being with my family and friends. I’m in a comfort zone!

“Bika’s a guy ranked higher than me who has fought two world champions. He may have lost but he’s game. His style is made for me. I wanted him and got him for a world title fight. Bika reminds me of [Joey] Spina, but he’s more disciplined and stronger in the mind than Joey. They’re both big, strong and wide shots. They have similar styles and I’m very confident. I’m not a trash talker, but I took out Spina in 2 1/2 rounds, so, I guess, it’ll take me 4 ½ or 5 rounds to stop Bika.”

IBF Pan Pacific super middleweight title-holder Bika, 26-3-2 (16), a 2000 Cameroon Olympian now fighting out of Australia, won The Contender III with a dramatic eighth round stoppage of Bridgeport, Connecticut native Jaidon Codrington in the finale in Boston. Bika, rated No. 5 by the IBF and No. 8 by The Ring magazine, hasn’t been stopped in 31 pro fights.

“I like this style of match-ups,” explained Peter’s father and head trainer, Peter Manfredo, Sr. “Bika is strong and durable but wide. If you just stand in front of him, he can punch you out. You either stay on the outside controlling the fight with jabs or go inside and use uppercuts. I know that I’m in for a fight. He’s a legitimate fighter, ranked in the top 10 by Ring.

“He fought two world champions, Joe Calzaghe and Markus Beyer. Bika almost had Calzaghe out at the end of the 12th round with a hook. He can punch, but I like Peter’s odds because of his speed. It’s going to be exciting; good action with both guys going for it.”

In the 10 round co-feature, Grady “Bad Boy” Brewer, 23-11 (13), winner of Season Two of The Contender, meets fan favorite in Season Two of The Contender, IBF No. 13 rated Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, 28-3 (16), in an IBO light middleweight title eliminator.

Codrington, 18-2 (14), runner-up in Season Three of The Contender, also is fighting on the card in a super middleweight Special Attraction against an opponent to be determined.

Some of New England’s most talented and popular fighters are scheduled to fight on the undercard including WBC World Youth and USNBC featherweight champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard, 15-0 (8), super flyweight Isander “Peachy” Beauchamp, 5-0 (2), Providence light welterweight Jesus Caro, 2-0 (2), and Pawtucket light welterweight Diego Periera, 1-0 (1). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $18.00, $23.00, $58.00, $79.00, $107.00 and $222.00, are on sale at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office (401.331.6700) or through CES Boxing at 401.724.2253/2254 or www.cesboxing.com.

Tickets will also be on sale through www.Ticketmaster.com, at all local Ticketmaster outlets by calling Ticketmaster direct at 401.331.2211 or 617.931.2000, as well as Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket (401.723.1359), 401 Gym in Cranston (401.261.9800), Balletto’s Gym in Providence (401.641.9994), Elite Mixed Martial Arts (401.728.1356) and Ultimate Fitness in Bristol (401.253.3539). Each paid ticket holder will receive a complimentary Dave & Buster’s $10.00 Power Card ($12 value) upon entry.

“Tough & Tested,” co-promoted by the Tournament of Contenders and Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), will air nationally live on Versus television. The co-promoters have called for a ‘Pink Out’ (everybody wearing something colored pink) to show support for the Gloria Gemma Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from ticket and T-shirt sales will benefit the Gloria Gemma Foundation for research into early breast cancer detection.

For more information call 401.724.2253/2254 or go online to www.cesboxing.com, www.tournamentofcontenders.com or www.dunkindonutscenter.com. Doors open at 5:30 PM/ET, first bout 6:30 PM/ET.