Manfredo spent most of the opening round cornered and against the ropes as Hernandez pounded away at him and the two fighters exchanged punches periodically. However, in the second round the tide turned as the Providence native boxed more landing flush overhand rights and eye catching left hooks to Hernandez.
“He cornered me in the first round and was wailing on me”, Manfredo said afterwards, “My father had to wake me up in the corner and make sure I follow the game plan.”
In the 3rd, Manfredo pounded away at the Chicago resident landing left hooks that caused Hernandez’s face to swell. In the 6th, Manfredo ripped combinations to Hernandez’ face, but the Mexican native continued to press forward.
In the 7th, Hernandez was more effective offensively as Manfredo was a more stationary target and more conservative with his punch output. In the 8th, both fighters stood and traded with Hernandez noticeably expressing joy in his body language for almost every punch he landed and received. Hernandez at one point and leaned in the corner casually putting his arms on the ropes opening himself up to punches appearing to try to entice Manfredo to engage.
“All he had that was really dangerous was that big right hand. I knew if I could avoid that I’d be ok, but he’s one tough guy.” Manfredo said.
The 9th was mostly Manfredo ripping away at Hernandez, who was less jubilant than the previous round. In the 10th, Hernandez’ face began to swell more and more as he ate more punches. After Manfredo landed a thudding left hook, referee Steve Smoger stepped in to stop the fight and kissed Hernandez on the cheek.
Hernandez was unavailable for comment after the fight and his friend and welterweight pro David Estrada said he might have to go to the hospital.
For Manfredo, it was all smiles as he posed for pictures with numerous fans as he walked out of the arena.
It was Manfredo’s fourth win in a row since suffering a TKO loss to super middleweight Sakio Bika in 2008. Since moving back down to the middleweight division he is 2-0. Given his marketability and recent win streak, he could very well find himself in a major fight soon. The IBO title that Manfredo now holds is very well recognized in Germany were Sebastian Sylvester and Felix Sturm are currently middleweight titleholders. As recently as last year, Manfredo was seriously discussed as an opponent for now former middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik.
“I’m just going to savor the moment. I don’t know what’s next but right now I’m just to relax and enjoy life for a little bit.” He said while leaving the arena with his wife.
In the evening’s co-feature, Connecticut based featherweight prospect Matt Remillard (22-0, 13 KO’s) scored two knockdowns in the fourth round en route to a TKO win over Port Richey, Florida’s Carlos Rivera (16-5-2, 5 KO’s).
In the fourth round, Remillard first put Rivera down with a left hand to the body. After Rivera got up, Remillard dropped him again with a shot upstairs – a brutal right uppercut that sent Rivera’s mouthpiece flying.
Shortly thereafter referee Arthur Mercante Jr. called a halt to the action at 2:24 of the fourth. Prior to the fight there was a tribute to Mercante Jr’s recently deceased father, the legendary referee Arthur Mercante Sr., and Mercante Jr. could be heard saying “rest in peace Dad” prior to the bout as he gave instructions to both fighters.
In a 6 round lightweight bout, Canadian Logan McGuiness (10-0-1, 4 KO’s) battled to a draw with Columbia’s Walter Estrada (35-13-1, 24 KO’s). Official scores were 58-56 for Estrada and 57-57 (twice) as the fight was ruled a majority draw.
Local female favorite Adelita Irizarry (8-4, 2 KO’s) earned a unanimous decision over Arkansas’ Kita Watkins (5-7, 1 KO) in a four round welterweight fight. Scores were 40-36 and 39-37 (twice).
Michigan super middleweight J’Leon Love (5-0, 4 KO’s) won an unpopular decision over New Mexico’s Fernando “Cool” Calleros (1-2-1) via scores of 40-36 and 39-37 (twice). 8countnews.com scores the fight 38-38 even and the crowd heavily booed the official verdict. Calleros was able to charge forward for most of the fight and land uppercuts on the inside, Love did his best to use his height and reach advantage to keep Calleros at bay with his jab.
Melbourne, Florida’s Joseph Elegele (7-0, 5 KO’s) kept his undefeated record intact in impressive style with a first round KO of Marshall, Texas’ John Dejean (3-4-1, 3 KO’s). A beautiful right hook from Elegele sent a wobbly Dejean to the canvas and he was counted out at 2:20 of the round.
Unbeaten junior welterweight Danny O’Connor (12-0, 3 KO’s) pounded out a decision over the durable journeyman Broderick Antoine (10-10-1, 5 KO’s) in a 6 round fight to open the evening. O’Connor, a southpaw, landed his overhand left at ease in the early goings of the fight and worked well to the body all night. Antoine, a native of Troy, New York, fought hard and well throughout the fight. O’Connor just fought better. Official scores were 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 for O’Connor. 8countnews.com saw O’Connor winning via a shutout 60-54.
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