Thomas LaManna, Razor Rainone and Seldon Win Comebacks, Mayfield Denied in Atlantic City
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent- Ringside
Atlantic City, NJ (March 20th, 2016)–In the main event of an eight bout card promoted by on Saturday evening, March 19, 2016, at Claridge Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, promoted by Rising Star Boxing Promotions and Vincent Ponte’s Gulf Stream Promotions, Thomas Cornflake LaManna scored his third consecutive win in the 148 to 151 pound super welterweight class. As to whether LaManna, now 20-1 with eight knockouts, Millville, New Jersey, can make good on his desire to get down to 147 pound welterweight, remains open to discussion. As it was, LaManna scored a fourth round stoppage over Kendall Mena, 20-4 with 11 knockouts, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.
Mena had won his first 20 bouts in the Dominican Republic over fighters with a combined record of 35-244-14, but in the past 14 months has been knocked out four times by more experienced super welterweight prospects with a combined record of 54-4-1, who have faced more talented opposition. Against LaManna, Mena spit out his mouthpiece four times and got repeatedly hit by solid combinations from LaManna. The end came when LaManna staggered Mena across the ring by an overhand right in the fourth round on unsteady legs, ending the contest. LaManna, a superb technical fighter, scored his first stoppage win since he knocked out Jeremy Yelton in the second round in August 2013.
LaManna has now won four straight bouts since losing to Antoine Douglas a year ago. The undefeated Douglas got stopped on March 5 at Sands Bethlehem by Avtandil Khurtsidze.
Result: Thomas LaManna TKO 4 Kendall Mena, Super Welterweights (2:23)
Referee: David Franciosi
In another heroic comeback, popular New York City welterweight Tommy ‘Razor’ Rainone, 25-7-1 with five knockouts, threw everything he had and just pulled out an eight round split decision win over 39 year old southpaw veteran Maurice Chalmers, 14-13-1 with eight knockouts, Lynchburg, Virginia. Rainone came in just over 148 pounds, and Chalmers weighed just over 147 pounds, so the bout went off at super welterweight. Chalmers has been in with Andre Berto, James Kirkland and some of the best.
In another significant comeback, super middleweight Isiah Seldon, son of former WBA World Heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon, won the vacant USA New Jersey State Super Middleweight title with a six round decision over Michael Mitchell, 3-7-2, Paterson, New Jersey. Seldon, 8-1 with three knockouts, Somers Point, New Jersey, returned after a three year hiatus. Seldon lost a six round decision in 2013 to Lekan Byfield of Atlanta, Georgia, which could make a possible interesting rematch now as Byfield has now lost six in a row.
Rising heavyweight prospect Dan Pasciolla, 7-1-1, Brick, New Jersey, scored a six round decision win over former IBF World Cruiserweight champion Imamu Mayfield, 25-10-2 with 18 knockouts, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and picked up the vacant USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title in the process. The 30 year old Pasciolla defeated the 43 year old Mayfield, who failed in his comeback attempt after an eight year absence from the ring. Since 2002, nine of Mayfield’s 11 bouts were fought at heavyweight. He lost six of his last seven bouts, and his last win was in 2005. At a career high 232 pounds, Mayfield was too heavy to outwork Pasciolla, no matter how much work he did in the gym. Simply put, Mayfield is a cruiserweight, and at 35 pounds higher than his last bout in 2008, the extra weight was too much to overcome.
Claridge Hotel & Casino Undercard Results
Isiah Seldon Win 6 Michael Mitchell, Super Middleweights
Seldon wins vacant USA New Jersey State Super Middleweight title
Dan Pasciolla Win 6 Imamu Mayfield, Heavyweights
Pasciolla wins vacant USA New Jersey State Heavyweight title
Tommy Rainone Win Split Decision 8 Maurice Chalmers, Super Welterweights
Quian Davis Win 4 Corey Morley, Heavyweights
Omar Brito TKO 1 Bienvenido Diaz, Super Featherweights
Alvin Varmall Jr. Win 4 D’Quan Morgan, Cruiserweights
Darryl Bunting Win 4 Darryl Watkins, Super Middleweights
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