Manfredo training in comfort zone for IBO world title fight vs. Bika
Nov. 13 at Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, live on Versus, headlining “Tough & Tested”
PROVIDENCE
(October 17, 2008) – 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.
“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.
Manfredo (31-5, 16 KOs), 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 KOs) record in Rhode Island, including 3-0 (3 KOs) in the same Providence building as his Nov. 13th 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 (Manfredo’s Gym in nearby Pawtucket) 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 KOs), 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 KOs), 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 KOs), in an IBO light middleweight title eliminator. Codrington (18-2, 14 KOs), 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 KOs), super flyweight Isander “Peachy” Beauchamp (5-0, 2 KOs), Providence light welterweight Jesus Caro (2-0, 2 KOs), and Pawtucket light welterweight Diego Periera (1-0, 1 KO). 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.
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.
Manfredo-Bika IBO world title fight headlines “Tough & Tested”
Brewer-Bundrage IBO title eliminator in co-feature
Nov. 13 at Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, live on Versus
PROVIDENCE
(October 10, 2008) – Tickets go on sale Wednesday (Oct. 15 at 10
AM/ET) for the November 13th “Tough & Tested” pro boxing show,
headlined by an IBO super middleweight title fight between “The
Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr., runner-up in Season One of
The Contender, and Sakio “The Scorpian” Bika, winner of Season Three
of The Contender, at the newly renovated Dunkin’ Donuts Center in
Providence, Rhode Island.
“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. “Tough & Tested” will feature at least five fighters who are “Contender” alumni: Manfredo and Bika in the main event, Grady “Bad Boy” Brewer, winner of Season Two of The Contender, versus fan favorite in Season Two of The Contender, Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, in the IBO light middleweight title eliminator co-feature; runner-up in Season Three of The Contender, Jaidon “The Don” Codrington, in a super middleweight Special Attraction.
“CES, The Contender, Peter and Sakio all want to celebrate the grand re-opening of ‘The Dunk’ by bringing in the IBO world championship title fight between Manfredo and Bika,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “This will be the first pro boxing show at the new Dunkin’ Donuts Center as well as the first major world title fight held there in 17 years, since Vinny Paz stopped Gilbert Dele (at the Providence Civic Center as it was known then) in the 12th round for the WBA light middleweight belt. Manfredo versus Bika is going to be a very tough fight. We also have a good co-feature, the Brewer-Bundrage IBO title eliminator, and we’re putting together a strong, competitive and entertaining undercard starting with Codrington.
“We all want to give something back, too. ‘Tough & Tested’ will benefit the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation (www.gloriagemma.org). We’re calling for a ‘Pink Out’ (everybody wearing something colored pink) to show support for this great cause. A portion of the proceeds from ticket and T-shirt sales will go to the Gloria Gemma Foundation for research into early breast cancer detection.”
Manfredo and Bika have combined to fight in four world title fights and one of them will walk away with the IBO world title belt on Nov. 13.
“The Contender is pleased to stage its third fight in Providence, Rhode Island,” The Contender executive producer Jeff Wald commented. “Providence feels like our second home and we’re grateful for the support Providence has given The Contender and ‘The Pride of Providence.’ Peter Manfredo fought two fan friendly fights against Sergio Mora, as well as two great fights in Providence against (Scott) Pemberton and (Joey) Spina. Fans can always expect action and excitement when Peter Manfredo fights. Sakio Bika went the distance in two world championship fights and won The Contender, Season Three in what many believed was the Fight of the Year against Codrington. Bika’s also an exciting fighter. Manfredo and Bika should be dynamite.
“Grady Brewer won Season Two of The Contender against Steve Forbes, who has gone on to fight Oscar De La Hoya and Andre Berto. His opponent, ‘K9’ Bundrage, just beat former world champion Kasim Ouma. Brewer-Bundrage looks like another exciting fight. Jaidon Codrington knows how to box and he also has knockout power. He was the other half of the Fight of the Year candidate with Bika. Everybody working on The Contender is a big supporter in the fight against breast cancer and we’re thrilled to be associated with the Gloria Gemma Foundation. Fighters aren’t the only ones who are Tough & Tested – women who’ve survived breast cancer are Tough & Tested, too.”
Manfredo (31-5, 16 KOs), 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 KOs) record in Rhode Island, including 3-0 (3 KOs) in the same Providence building as his Nov. 13th showdown against Bika. Manfredo’s five pro career losses have all come at the hands of world champions.
IBF Pan Pacific super middleweight title-holder Bika, a 2000 Cameroon Olympian now fighting out of Australia, won The Contender III with a dramatic eighth round stoppage of Bridgeport, Connecticut native Codrington (18-2, 14 KOs) 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.
In the 10-round co-feature, Brewer (23-11, 13 KOs), former IBA light middleweight champion, takes on Bundrage (28-3, 16 KOs), IBF rated No. 13, in the IBO junior middleweight title eliminator.
Some of New England’s most talented and popular fighters will be on the soon to be announced undercard.
Tickets, priced at $18.00, $23.00, $58.00, $79.00, $107.00 and $222.00, go on sale Wednesday (Oct. 15 at 10 AM) at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office or through CES Boxing at 401.724.2253/2254 or www.cesboxing.com. Tickets will also be on sale through www.Ticketmaster.com and at all local Ticketmaster outlets by calling Ticketmaster direct at 401.331.2211 or 617.931.2000.
For more information call 401.724.2253/2254 or go online to www.cesboxing.com, www.tournamentofcontenders.com or www.dunkindonutscenter.com.
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