Will Lamanna vs. Davis steal the Spotlight at Bally’s August 23rd?
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Will Lamanna vs. Davis steal the Spotlight at Bally’s August 23rd?
By Ken Hissner, Doghouse Boxing (Aug 20, 2014)

Rocky Marciano, 49-0.
Cornflake vs. Tyson
 
It’s not very often a co-feature steals the spotlight from the main event but middleweight Thomas “Cornflake” Lamanna, 14-0 (7), of Millville, NJ, and his opponent Jamaal “Tyson” Davis 14-11-1 (6), of Philadelphia, have the potential to do just that at the Bally Event Center on a Peltz Boxing promotion on August 23rd!

Both fighters are under contract to Peltz who isn’t shy about pitting his fighters or local fighters against one another. The main event features the return of Mike “MJ” Jones, 26-1 (19), of Philadelphia who after just about being handed the vacant IBF welterweight title on a silver platter by Peltz in June of 2012 turned his back on his co-managers prior to the fight in Vegas telling Peltz, “I don’t want them in the dressing room”. With his performance he embarrassed not only himself but Philly’s fighting reputation. To make things worse he stayed in Vegas for 2 years after the fight.

After turning down fight after fight offered by Peltz and Top Rank who Peltz had to share Jones in order to get the title shot, Jones was changing trainer after trainer from Floyd Mayweather Sr. to Eddie Mustapha Muhammad. The question now is can Jones win back the Philly fans? Peltz brought in Jaime Herrera, 11-2-1 (6), of Franklin Park, IL, who “just beat a 12-0 guy,” said Peltz. Herrera has won his last 4 fights. This writer got that answer after commenting “I hope it’s not a 1 round fight”.

Lamanna held a press conference Wednesday at the gym of his trainer Hameed-El Hassan in Vineland, NJ, while Davis held his at the Shuler Memorial Gym in West Philly on Thursday owned by Buster Custus.

Besides Lamanna, Hassan trains 2 other fighters on the card. One is Ismael Garcia, 6-0 (3), of Vineland, NJ, who is against Gilbert Alex Sanchez, 4-4 (2) of Camden, NJ, in a 6 round light middleweight match-up. “I’ve see Sanchez fight before and look forward to be getting back into the ring,” said Garcia. This should be a firecracker of a bout.

Another trained by Hassan is the professional debut of Marvin Johnson of Millville, NJ, against Omar Curry, of Atlantic City. “I’ve had over 200 amateur bouts and have been with my new trainer 3 weeks,” said Johnson. It’s been 2 years since Johnson’s last fight.

“This is a fight I need and wanted. He’s no pushover. He’s experienced and one of the few Philly boxers I haven’t sparred with. I’m looking to have a great performance,” said Lamanna. Joining him were his trainer Hassan and his father Vinnie Lamanna. “He performed well in his last fight after a 7 month lay-off,” said Hassan. There has been talk of Davis being the favorite with this being Lamanna’s toughest opponent to date. “I beat Josh Snyder and may have a 5” height advantage against Davis. I have a good following and like fighting in Atlantic City,” said Cornflake Lamanna.

Davis is coming of a 10 month period of inactivity. “I felt he should be retired after that last fight. We have been together for 12 years,” said trainer Sharron Davis. Davis has gone the distance with now WBO middleweight champion Peter Quillin but was stopped by Jorge Melendez in that fight. Joining Davis in the corner will be Naziim Richardson. The Shuler Gym boxers are like family so former 2-time cruiserweight and current heavyweight Steve “USS” Cunningham and young prospect Khalib “Big Foot” Whitmore, 6-0 (5), will also be available for support. At 6:02 and a young 22 Lamanna is facing the 33 year-old Davis who has fought at 154 and 160. “He is stronger at middleweight. We know we’re here as a test. It’s no secret but he can upset the apple cart,” said Baker. Lamanna is coming of an 8 round decision over Ashandi Gibbs, 10-3, in April. Davis said he has never seen Lamanna fight adding “he’s young and can afford a loss but I can’t”. To that Baker replied “we almost sparred with him when he came in to spar with Julian Williams. As it turns out I’m glad we didn’t.”

Both boxers are very likeable. Lamanna is fundamentally sound and follow’s instruction to a tee. He had 41 amateur fights winning PA Silver gloves and experienced the Jr. Golden Gloves. “He got robbed in that tournament so we felt it was time to turn professional,” said Vinnie Lamanna. This will be Lamanna’s third fight under the Peltz banner whereas Davis has fought the tougher opposition being with Peltz since 2009 after his fight with Chris Hall, and with an 8-4 record.

This is a 7 bout card and an interesting heavyweight bout will feature Juiseppe “Joe” Cusumano, 7-1 (5), of Richmond, VA, against Randy Easton, 2-3-1 (2), with a pair of 1st round knockouts.

First fight will be at 7:30pm. J Russell Peltz and Brittany Rogers will serve as matchmakers. Rogers attended the Lamanna press conference while Peltz the Davis one.


Please send all questions and comments to Ken Hissner at: Kenhissner@gmail.com



Ken Hissner responds to all his emails at: kenhissner@gmail.com

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