Last Tango in Atlantic City: Tito Bracero vs LaManna WBC Wild Card Preview
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Some matchups defy logic. In the highly competitive 147 pound welterweight division, anything goes. For Thomas ‘Cornflake’ LaManna, Bracero may be one fight too soon. For Gabriel ‘Tito’ Bracero, LaManna may be one fight too many. LaManna’s corner probably believes they are catching Bracero at the right time, with his career on the downswing. LaManna does enjoy height and reach advantage. Bracero’s corner may believe LaManna is just an overhyped stepping stone, and Bracero’s superior and superb technical boxing skills will just allow him to get inside, outwork and work over LaManna.
Which is the case? That is the question.
The vacant World Boxing Council FECARBOX 147 pound welterweight title will be at stake when Bracero, 24-3 with nine knockouts, Brooklyn, New York, and LaManna, 25-2 with nine knockouts, Millville, New Jersey, collide in the 10 round main event at Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on February 24, 2017, in a 13 bout card promoted by Rising Star Promotions, matched by Russell Peltz. Inactivity will be a factor, as Bracero, who will be 37 years old at the time of this bout, has been out over the ring for over a year and a half since losing a 10 round decision at Barclay’s Center to Paul Malignaggi.
Neither LaManna nor Bracero has a reputation as knockout artists, so the bout will go the full ten rounds. At 6’2” height and with a 74 inch reach, LaManna, 11 years younger than Bracero, will enjoy a seven-inch height advantage and five-inch reach advantage. Bracero will have to get inside to neutralize LaManna’s advantage. The game plan will go round to round, and Bracero has the better corner with trainer Tommy Gallagher.
The prediction is clear. Bracero by 10 round decision if LaManna cannot keep Bracero outside and away. LaManna by 10 round decision if Bracero’s reflections are eroded by time and he cannot get inside to pressure LaManna and win rounds. Miguel Cotto
S decision loss to Sadam Ali is proof skills do erode over age and time, and at 37 years of age, Tito Bracero is at a crossroads. The bout is a wild card, with both fighters having an equal chance to win, and the game plan in the concern being the key. Edge on experience to Bracero if he’s still at the top of his game. If not, LaManna’s height and reach could pose Bracero serious problems in the second half of the bout.
Other Predictions on the Atlantic City Showboat Card
Anthony ‘Juice’ Young Win 8 Khiary Gray, Welterweights, Prelim Bout to Main Event
Tommy Rainone Win 6 Eduardo Flores, Super Welterweights
Decarlo Perez Win 6 To Be Announced, Super Middleweights
Darren Goodall Win 6 Edgar Perez, Super Middleweights
Tyrone Luckey Win 4 Bryne Green, Super lightweights
Quian Davis Win 4 Corey Morley, Heavyweights
Donald Smith Win 4 Andrew Bentley, Super Featherweights
Emmanuel Rodriguez Win 4 Edgar Joe Cortes, Super Bantamweights
Mike Rashid King (Pro Debut) KO 2 Demetrius Shaw, Heavyweights
Omar Kabary Salem Win 4 Cory Weeklie (Pro Debut), Middleweights
Ernesto Perez (Pro Debut) Win 4 Steve Moore, Welterweights
Osnel Charles Win Split Decision 4 LaQuan Lewis, Super Lightweights
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