From Pretender to Contender: The growth of undefeated Middleweight contender Thomas "Cornflake" LaManna

Millville, NJ (September 15, 2014)--Undefeated Middleweight, Thomas LaManna has been proving the doubters wrong since he turned professional in 2011.   After a pedestrian amateur career that saw LaManna go just 20-21, plus his "Boy Next Door" looks, not much was expected for the now 22-year old.   One thing that he did have going for him was that grew up around the sport as his father Vinny LaManna was a longtime manager and promoter.   "Growing up around the sport is what piqued my interest into wanting to become a boxer," said the Millville, New Jersey native.   He signed a promotional contract with Vincent Ponte's Gulfstream Promotions and he started on his professional journey.   LaManna started his career with a 1st round stoppage over Anthony Williams on February 11, 2011 in Atlantic City.   LaManna continued to win as he gradually stepped up the competition but he continued to hear from critics that he would be nothing more then a fighter who would only succeed at the local level.   But as the wins kept on coming, the ringside pundits became less vocal and some even started to write more positive articles about young LaManna.   LaManna has scored wins over tough journeymen Josh Williams and Yolexcy Leiva.   LaManna credits a fight against Joshua Snyder that took place on March 8, 2013 in Atlantic City as a turning point in his career.   Thomas pounded out a hard fought 6-round unanimous decision in a fight where he took some punches but fought through some facial swelling.   "The fight against Snyder was my first crossroads fight.  He was coming off wins over Aaron Pryor Jr., Maxell Taylor and John Mackey and that was the fight at that point of my career to show people I belonged."   He then went on to score wins over trial horses Jeremy Yelton and Joshua Robertson before signing a co-promotional contract with Hall of Fame promoter Russell Peltz and Peltz Boxing.   Peltz is known for testing his fighters and LaManna was no different as in his first bout with Peltz, LaManna fought veteran Ashandi Gibbs.   Gibbs had a record of 10-3 but LaManna was able to use his boxing ability to score the 8-round unanimous decision.   "That was a tough fight coming off a layoff but I needed that fight to make me better."   In his last bout, LaManna stepped up his competition even more as he took on grizzled and battle tested Jamaal Davis.   There was a lot of talk around the tri-state boxing community that LaManna would get a serious test and for the first couple rounds he did.  He took some flush shots from Davis, who had previously fought Peter Quillin, Gabriel Rosado, Joel Julio, Yuri Foreman and Jorge Melendez to name a few.   After the first two rounds, LaManna settled down and slowly broke Davis down mixing up shots to the head and body and went on to win a clear unanimous decision.   "I think people overlook him because he looks like your next door neighbor," said Hall of Fame Promoter J Russell Peltz.   "He has good size and he is a real student of the game.  He knows fights and fighters. He showed me a lot in the Davis fight.  He dug himself a hole but he came on down the stretch.  I think he is going places," finished Peltz.   "I think his development is right on schedule.  He came into his own and he has  not only surprised myself but a lot of the critics.  He has passed any and every test that any and every promoter has put in front of his with with flying colors.  In his next fight, I would like to see him fight the caliber of former world champion like Ishe Smith or a Pawel Wolak," said LaManna's Manager/Father Vinny LaManna.   "The fight with Davis brought me up another level and I think now some of my early critics realize that I have the talent and potential to do good things in the sport," finished Thomas LaManna.

THOMAS “CORNFLAKE”LAMANNA TO FIGHT ERICK HERNANDEZ PEREZ THIS SATURDAY IN MILLVILLE, NJ

MILLVILLE, NJ (November 7, 2012)—THIS SATURDAY NIGHT at the New Jersey Motorsports Park, undefeated Jr. Middleweight Thomas “Cornflake”LaManna will hope to celebrate his 21^st birthday with a win over Erick Hernandez Perez in a scheduled six round bout in the main event of a big night of professional boxing.

LaManna is 9-0 with five knockouts is coming off a six round split decision victory over tough Yolexcy Leiva on August 18th in Atlantic City.

“Perez is a tough fighter and I have seen him”, said LaManna

“He has just come off a draw with an eighteen fight veteran so I know he is coming to win but I have been training every day and even have gotten some great advice from Bernard Hopkins when I was sparring his nephew Demetrious.  I also want to thank my sparring partners Julian Williams, Jesse Hart & Ismael Garcia. I have extra motivation fighting in front of my hometown fans and I expect fireworks”

“I want to thank Brad Scott and Carolyn Watson of the New Jersey Motorsports Park for giving this event an opportunity”

Perez of Cancun, Mexico has a record of 2-2-1 with two knockouts and is coming off a four round draw with Daniel Garcia (10-7-1) on September 29^th.

Jon Bolden (5-5, 5 KO’s) of New York, NY takes on Dennis Benson ((1-4, 1 KO) of Norfolk, VA in a four round Heavyweight bout

 

In a four round Light Heavyweight bout, Amir Shabazz (1-0) of Philadelphia, PA will box Abdellah Smith (1-3, 1 KO) of Queens, NY

 

Gilbert Alex Sanchez (1-1, 1 KO) of Camden, NJ will fight Nasser Abdel Malik (1-0, 1 KO) in a four round Light Heavyweight bout

 

Antoine Douglas (1-0, 1 KO) of Burke, VA fights pro debuting Carlos Lopez of New York in a four round Middleweight bout.

 

Moses Molina (1-1, 1 KO) of Bridgeton, NJ will fight Joshua Nieves (0-2) of New York in a four round Super Featherweight bout.

 

Tickets for this exciting evening of boxing on November 10^th are priced at $125 (VIP which includes a meet and greet with former world champions Steve Cunningham & Ray Mercer); $75 and $50 and can be bought by calling (856) 327-8000 & (856) 899-7273 

For more information and media credentials, contact Marc Abrams at 856-287-7611 ormabrams@15rounds.com, phillyboxing@gmail.com.

 

To follow Thomas “Cornflake” Lamanna on twitter: @cornflakeboxing

No Time Off: Melson Begins Preparations for Historic October 20 Bout!

 

New York, NY (September 25, 2012) – Less than three days after soundly defeating Yolexcy Leiva, popular junior middleweight Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson is preparing for his next challenge.

 

On October 20, Melson will fight in a six round bout against an opponent to be named as part of a historic card at the brand new Barclays Center in his hometown of Brooklyn, NY. With four world title fights, an undercard stacked with top-tier talent and a sellout crowd expected, the West Point Graduate is fighting on the biggest platform of his career. In the aforementioned bout against Leiva, Melson received praise for making noticeable improvements, but knows he still has a lot of things to work on.

 

“There are still plenty of adjustments I have to make to be at the high level I was during my amateur career,” said Melson, who in addition to having a 10-1 professional ledger, works full time for Johnson&Johnson and is an active Army Reserve Officer. “With the proximity of this bout to my one last weekend, there’s no time for rest. This is a huge card and one of the most anticipated in recent memory. I must make a strong statement in this fight because it will undoubtedly lead to bigger and better things.”

 

Melson’s opponent will be announced shortly.

 

Tickets for Melson’s fight starting at $56 are available on Teamfighttowalk.com and must be ordered by October 14. Melson’s entire fight purse will be donated to Justadollarplease.org to support brining a trial to America to help cure Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries.

 

In association with the 501 (C) 3 nonprofit Justadollarplease.org, Melson and his best friend Christan Zaccagnino created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, Zaccagnino, former Rutgers football player/ESPY honoree Eric LeGrand, two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., 2008 US Olympians Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Jeff “TNT” Spencer, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

 

For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com.

Melson bests Leiva in Queens!

Queens, NY (September 23, 2012) – Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson of New York City won for the tenth time in eleven fights Saturday evening by earning a clear-cut six round decision over upset-minded Yolexcy Leiva.

 

Fighting in one of the featured bouts at the Resorts World Casino’s first ever boxing card, Melson decked Leiva in the opening stanza with a picture perfect hook, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Leiva made it back to his feet and tried to drag Melson into a dogfight, but the West Point graduate’s boxing ability steered him clear of any serious danger. For the majority, Melson’s ring generalship, counter hooks and timing enabled him to control the junior middleweight contest.

 

Melson, who was in better condition than his prior bout, buzzed Leiva on multiple occasions and finished strong.

 

Scores were 59-54 twice and 58-55.

 

“I didn’t have such a battle against weight for this fight so I wasn’t fatigued,” said Melson, whose entire fight purse was donated to Justadollarplease.org to support a trial in American to help cure chronic Spinal Cord Injuries. “He was coming at me the whole fight and it allowed me to effectively box.”

 

Even with what most considered the strongest performance of his pro career, Melson was his own harshest critic.

 

“I moved to my left too often and got hit with some hard shots that I shouldn’t have. I should’ve jabbed more and have to do even better my next fight because I was still getting hit too much.”

 

Melson, 10-1 (4 KO’s), returns Saturday, October 20 as part of a historic boxing card taking place at the brand new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

 

More information about Melson’s October 20 bout will be available shortly on Teamfighttowalk.com.

 

In association with the 501 (C) 3 nonprofit Justadollarplease.org, Melson and his best friend Christan Zaccagnino created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, Zaccagnino, former Rutgers football player/ESPY honoree Eric LeGrand, two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., 2008 US Olympians Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Jeff “TNT” Spencer, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

 

For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com.

INTERNATIONAL FIGHT NIGHT LIVE TONIGHT ON GFL

QUEENS, NY (September 22, 2012)—TONIGHT!!!! An historic night of boxing will take place as the first ever professional boxing event will emanate from The Resorts World Casino in New York and it will be all streamed LIVE on www.gfl.tv

The show, which is promoted by New Legend Boxing, Old World Boxing and W.O.N Boxing promotions begins at 7pm eastern and can be purchased for just $9.99 by clicking: 

http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/International_Fight_Night/1667

In the main event, popular Light Heavyweight Joe Smith Jr. (10-1, 10 KO’s) takes on Yasin Rashin (7-2, 2 KO’s) of Brooklyn in the eight round main event.

In the co-feature, it will be a battle of undefeated Jr. Welterweight’s Frank Galarza (7-4, Ko’s) will take in former amateur standout Alantez Fox (7-0, 3 KO’s) in an eight round tussle for the New York State Title.

The nine bout card will also feature hot Super Featherweight prospect Juan Dominguez (10-0, 7 KO’s) battling battle tested Jesus Bayron (5-5, 4 KO’s)

Popular Jr. Middleweight Boyd Melson (9-1, 4 KO’s) will take on upset mined and rugged Yolexcy Leiva (5-4, 4 KO’s).

WBC Caribbean champion Elton Dharry (9-5-1, 4 KO’s) will take on Gabriel Cruz (4-4-1, 1 KO) in a six round Bantamweight affair.  

Super Featherweight Rafael Vazquez will look to stay undefeated when he battles Jhovany Collado (3-6-2, 1 KO) in a six round bout.

All that plus three more exciting bout beginning at 7pm

Melson Looking Forward to Vintage Performance!

 

New York, NY (September 17, 2012) – Although popular junior middleweight Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson won 9 of his 10 professional fights including four by knockout, he believes the best is yet to come.

 

As an amateur, the West Point graduate won a number of tournaments and traveled with some of the world’s most heralded boxers to international competitions. Along the way, he impressed by beating future pro standouts Charles Hatley, Lanard Lane, DeAndre Latimore and Keith Thurman. Melson also battled future world champion Austin Trout and rising stars Erislandy Lara, Danny Jacobs, Adam Trupish and Demetrius Andrade amongst others.

 

“I was right there with all of the top guys,” said Melson, who was a member of the Army’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). “As a pro, I’ve done a decent job but to get to the next level, adjustments are necessary."

 

On Saturday evening, Melson has the chance to make the aforementioned adjustments when he meets Brooklyn based Cuban Yolexcy Leiva in a six round special feature bout at the World Casino in Queens, NY. Leiva, 5-4 (4 KO’s), faced four undefeated foes, most recently dropping a split decision to Thomas LaManna in Atlantic City, NJ. Like many fighters from his native land, Leiva’s a tough fighter that has no issue turning a boxing match into a dogfight.

 

To ensure he’s ready for a high-paced fight, Melson’s added additional cardio and endurance drills so he can be in the best condition of his pro career.

 

“This was something I had to do. In the amateurs, people knew me as a well-conditioned fighter that threw a lot of punches. As a pro, my energy level hasn’t been where I want it to be but that will all change. My camp for this fight helped me make the necessary changes so I can return to top form and entertain the fans on Saturday evening.”

 

Melson’s entire fight purse is being donated to Justadollarplease.org to support a trial in American to help cure chronic Spinal Cord Injuries.

 

Tickets are available on Teamfighttowalk.com and all tickets purchased will be left at the will call window under the cardholder’s name.

 

In association with the 501 (C) 3 nonprofit Justadollarplease.org, Melson and his best friend Christan Zaccagnino created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, Zaccagnino, former Rutgers football player/ESPY honoree Eric LeGrand, two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., 2008 US Olympians Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Jeff “TNT” Spencer, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

 

For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com.

Melson to meet Leiva September 22 in Queens!

 

New York, NY (August 29, 2012) – Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson of New York City is set to challenge cement-fisted Cuban Yolexcy Leiva Saturday, September 22 at the first ever boxing card at World Casino in Queens, NY.

 

Known for his humanitarianism and large fan base, Melson, 9-1 (4 KO’s), scored a lackluster decision victory over Khalik Memminger on August 2. Leading up to that bout, Melson was on antibiotics for an infection, which kept him out of the gym and made cutting weight a daunting task. The day before weighing-in, he was 13 pounds over the limit but he miraculously made weight. However, he was weak and lacking energy on fight night, ultimately leaving him extremely dissatisfied with his performance.

 

“The fight against Memminger was my worst performance as a pro and I was more upset about it than most of the fans,” stated Melson. “Regardless, I can’t ever look like that again and expect to win.”

 

Born in Cuba and based in Brooklyn, NY, Leiva’s no stranger to tough fights, sharing the squared circle with undefeated opponents on four occasions. With a deceptive 5-4 professional ledger, Leiva has four wins by knockout, most notably demolishing hometown favorite Benny Costantino in March. On August 18, he dropped a split decision to undefeated Thomas LaManna following a six round slugfest.

 

“I know this guy is a lot tougher than my last opponent and I must be 100 times better than I was last time out,” said Melson, who donates his entire fight purse to Justadollarplease.org to help fund a trial to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. “That fight is no longer a part of my consciousness as I only care right now about creating a new and more proud memory September 22. People spend their hard earned money to watch me fight, and I bust my jump in the gym so that I can shine come showtime!”

 

Melson and Leiva will meet in a six round special attraction bout on a card promoted by New Legend Boxing, Old World Boxing and W.O.N. Promotions.

 

Tickets are available on Teamfighttowalk.com.

 

In association with the 501 (C) 3 nonprofit Justadollarplease.org, Melson and his best friend Christan Zaccagnino created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, Zaccagnino, former Rutgers football player/ESPY honoree Eric LeGrand, two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., 2008 US Olympians Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Jeff “TNT” Spencer, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

 

For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com.

 

DIAZ & TAPIA SCORE BIG STOPPAGE WINS—FIGHT CARD NOW ON DEMAND ON GFL

Farrell gets TKO; Barnwell decisions Dawejko; LaManna outlasts Leiva; Gangemi, McKenna and Wright have successful pro debuts

ATLANTIC CITY (August 21, 2012)—This past Saturday night rising prospect Joel Diaz scored an impressive stoppage after round two over Guillermo Sanchez in a scheduled round Super Featherweight bout that highlighted a action packed nine bout card at Ballys.

The card, which was promoted by John Lynch’s Pound For Pound Promotions and was seen LIVE all over the world on www.gfl.tv.

The fight card is now available on demand for just $9.99 by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Boxing_at_Ballys_Joel_Diaz_vs_Guillermo_Sanchez/1643

Diaz of Palmdale, CA. hurt Sanchez with a flurry of hard shots at the end of the second round and when Sanchez sat on his stool after the round, he had decided he had enough and Diaz had the stoppage victory.

It was Diaz eleventh win without a defeat with the tenth coming via stoppage.  Sanchez of Buffalo, NY is now 13-7-1.

In the co-feature, Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (15-0, 9 KO’s) dropped late replacement Franklin Gonzalez (15-11) twice en route to a first round blowout in a scheduled eight round Middleweight bout.

It was a dramatic week for Tapia, whose girlfriend gave birth to the couple’s first child (a girl) just thirteen days before the fight and Tapia also had several opponents pull out before Gonzalez was secured just twenty –four hours before the fight.

Patrick Farrell survived a hard knockdown in the first round before outlasting and getting a stoppage over Wayne Hampton in round three of a scheduled six round Heavyweight bout.

In a anticipated battle of undefeated Heavyweights, Dorsett Barnwell (7-0) scored a six round unanimous decision over former world amateur champion Joey Dawejko (7-1-1).

In an exciting six round Jr. Middleweight battle, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna survived a late rally from rugged Yolexcy Leiva (5-4) and took a hard fought six round split decision.

LaManna dropped Leiva with a hard right hand in round two and was poised for the knockout victory.  Leiva battled back and landed some good shots over the final three rounds, but the twenty year-old LaManna of Millville, NJ put enough rounds in the bank early to come home with the victory and remain perfect at 9-0.

Top Rank prospect Toka Kahn Clary (2-0, 2 KO’s) made it two knockouts in as many fights as he smashed an overmatched Jamil Winfield (0-2) in seventy-six seconds of their four round Super Featherweight fight.

Three highly regarded prospects all made successful pro debuts as former three-time Irish national champion Tyrone McKenna scored a four round unanimous decision over fellow pro debuter Anthony Morrison of Philadelphia in a Jr. Welterweight clash.

Tyrell Wright of Jersey City scored a four round unanimous decision over Dennis Benson (1-3)  in a Heavyweight battle while Anthony Gangemi of Dover, NJ was impressive in stopping Jimmy Ellis (1-2)  in round three of their four round Jr. Middleweight fight.