From Micky to Manfredo

January 30th, 2010

"The Pride of Providence" Peter Manfredo Jr. (34-6, 18 KO's) looked sharp in pounding out a unanimous decision over Minnesota tough guy Matt Vanda (42-10, 22 KO's) Friday night in a middleweight fight at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. It was the same venue and same ring that one of the best fights of the past decade took place: Micky Ward vs. Arturo Gatti I May 18th, 2002.

"Micky Ward called my cut man before the fight and wished us luck", Manfredo said in a postfight press gathering.

Aside from the venue, there were other notable similarities between Manfredo and fellow New Englander Ward.

Just like Ward, Manfredo entered the ring to the Whitesnake song, "Here I Go Again".

"I've always wanted to come to the ring to that song, now just seemed like the right time." Said Manfredo.

Just like Ward always did, Manfredo scored a knockdown when he nailed Vanda with a painful left hook to the body Friday night.

"Tonight was definitely for Micky Ward", Manfredo said as he smiled when asked about the similarities after the fight.

Entering his fight with Gatti in 2002, Ward was a former world title challenger who had suffered a 3rd round TKO in his only title shot and was hoping for a late career surge to possibly get another crack at a belt.

The title shot never came. Instead, and maybe just as good, Ward made career high paydays in his epic trilogy with Gatti. Ward won the first fight in his home region of New England at the Mohegan Sun. He lost the rematch and rubber match on Gatti's home turf of New Jersey. Bouts I & III of the trilogy were named "Fight of the Year" by various media outlets.

8 years later, Manfredo is not the unbeaten prospect he was in 2002. He's a former world title challenger who lost his title shot via 3rd round TKO to Joe Calzaghe in 2007. He also suffered defeats at the hands of former titlist Jeff Lacy and top 10 contender Sakio Bika in high profile bouts. Despite the defeats, he's a proven draw thanks in large part to a crowd pleasing fighting style and likeable personality. Unlike Ward, Manfredo had the help of reality TV with The Contender to boost his popularity.

Because of the similarities between both fighters, Manfredo now has an opportunity to make one last serious run before he's done.

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Photos By: Ed Anderson/8countnews.com

Friday night marked Manfredo's first bout in the middleweight division since 2005, a division were he feels he can be most effective after being outgunned in major bouts as an undersized super middleweight in major fights the past few years. Most obviously his 3rd round TKO loss to Bika.

"I didn't know any human being could hit that hard", Manfredo jokes now.

Manfredo's team has been angling for a fight with another popular middleweight: Ireland's John Duddy. Duddy's style appears to match-up perfectly to Manfredo's, perhaps the recipe to a fan friendly fight that will due big business without the need for any sort of belt to be on the line due to both fighters large contingent of fans.

Regardless of whether or not that particular fight happens, Manfredo has options. Just last year he was named as a possible opponent for middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik despite not having fought in the division in over 4 years. Proof that the name Manfredo still carries weight in the boxing business.

So like Ward did in the last few years of his career, made his biggest paydays and best fights, Manfredo looks to follow suit. If Friday night at the Mohegan Sun was any indication, there will still be plenty of fans wanting to watch.