Odds of a Tito Bracero Victory in Atlantic City This Weekend
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Atlantic City, NJ (February 21, 2018)–In the second preview earlier this week, the odds seem to favor an upset by Thomas LaManna in Atlantic City, New Jersey over Gabriel ‘Tito’ Bracero at Showboat in the main event of a Rising Star Promotions card this Saturday evening.
LaManna is more than a decade younger than Bracero. LaManna has height, reach, youth, and he hopes to catch Bracero at precisely the correct time, with Bracero’s career on the fade. However, LaManna must also contend with the pluses Bracero brings to the table.
Neither fighter has knockout power on the 10 round level. That factor being removed, any
knockdowns by either fighter will impact the scorecards if this is an extremely close bout, and it might emerge as such. While the LaManna family is promoting the Boardwalk Boxing card, the scorecards and refereeing, given the status and stature of LaManna and Bracero, their ten round WBC regional title bout will be judged neutral and fair.
Bracero has some serious strengths going into this bout, and LaManna will have to overcome them if he expects to win. For one, Bracero has a superior corner with trainer Tommy Gallagher. LaManna’s corner, after the departure of Hassan Tide-El, is not as strong as it could be, and remains highly questionable when he is in trouble. So, a lot depends on what corner LaManna shows up with Saturday night. For two, Bracero has the edge on world-class experience, having gone the distance with DeMarcus Corley, Felix Diaz, Paul Malignaggi and Dmitriy Salita. Bracero lost to all but Salita, and this will be only his fourth bout in five years since decisioning Salita at Aviator Arena in 2013. For three, Bracero can counterpunch, having knocked out Danny O’Connor in their rematch, and can take advantage if LaManna gets careless, though that possibility seems unlikely.
The fourth and final element of danger for LaManna has to do with Bracero’s technical prowess. At age 37, Bracero still has a wicked jab, and has demonstrated the ability to get inside and outwork his opponents. Bracero has no choice but to get inside on LaManna and outwork and outpoint him, or his career will be over. If Bracero gets inside on LaManna, LaManna will not win more than a round or two. With both game plans clearly established, the victory here will go to the fighter who executes his game plan more effectively. Bracero could have trouble with LaManna’s awkward style and proportions, which is why he is nicknamed ‘Cornflake’. Both fighters will present a riddle to each other.
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