Odds Favor LaManna WBC Upset Over Bracero Saturday, Who Knows at Showboat?
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Atlantic City, NJ (February 21, 2018)–In this second preview of this Saturday evening’s Boardwalk Boxing series crossroads confrontation between welterweight veterans Thomas ‘Cornflake’ LaManna and Gabriel ‘Tito’ Bracero at Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in the main event on Saturday, February 24, 2018, the odds favor a LaManna upset. At 37 years olf age, Bracero is old, fading and without knockout power, save his destruction of Danny O’Connor in their rematch, LaManna has height and reach advantage. Bracero has the harder core experience. LaManna has activity. Bracero has been more inactive. As everyone knows, in the ring, anything can happen. It might here. LaManna has to want it bad. Both careers are on the line.
Bracero is NOT a stepping stone. LaManna versus Bracero is an even Steven matchup, with the true victory on points going to the fighter with the superior game plan. Bracero’s superior technical boxing skills could allow him to get inside and outwork LaManna over the 10 rounds. However, LaManna knows he must take the fight to Bracero and use all of his advantages to control the bout on the scorecards. LaManna is favored by majority decision or split decision in a bout which figures to be that close, and could turn on a knockdown or two depending on how close the scorecards emerge in the final two rounds.
The vacant World Boxing Council FECARBOX 147 pound welterweight title will be at stake for Bracero, 24-3 with nine knockouts, Brooklyn, New York, and LaManna, 25-2 with nine knockouts, Millville, New Jersey, in the 10 round main event at Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on February 24, 2017, in a 12 bout card promoted by Rising Star Promotions, matched by Russell Peltz. 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 in Brooklyn to Paul Malignaggi.
At 6’2” tall with a 74 inch reach, LaManna, 26, is eleven years younger than Bracero, and will have a seven inch height and five inch reach advantage, if he can use it to his advantage. If he cannot, Tito Bracero will have to get inside to neutralize LaManna’s advantage. The game plan could go back and forth from round to round. Bracero has noted trainer Tommy Gallagher in his corner, and Bracero’s corner has a distinct edge for that critical reason. If Bracero could stop LaManna by TKO, that could be a big factor, but if he cannot, the bout will feature a great deal of clinches and holding, and who lands more punches will determine who wins the close rounds overall if it goes the distance. It probably will. Because the fighters are evenly matched, the bout has the potential to be the Atlantic City bout of the year, at least, so far. In the least, LaManna and Bracero are effective at 147 pounds. If both fighters combat the bout overly cautious, the bout could end in a draw.
Undercard Predictions on the Atlantic City Showboat Card, 11 Undercard Bouts
Alvin Varmall Jr. Win 8 Josh Fisher, Cruiserweights, Preliminary Bout to Main Event
Tommy Rainone Win 8 Eduardo Flores, Super Welterweights
Frederic Julan TKO 7 Edgar Perez, Cruiserweights
Darren Goodall Win 6 Edgar Perez, Super Middleweights
Andrew Bentley Win 4 Donald Smith, Super Featherweights
Mike Rashid King (Pro Debut) KO 2 Demetrius Shaw, Heavyweights
Darren Goodall TKO 2 Tahlik Taylor, Super Middleweights
Omar Kabary Salem Win 4 Leon DeShields, Middleweights (Rematch of Both Pro Debuts)
Ernesto Perez (Pro Debut) Win 4 Steve Moore, Welterweights
LaQuan Lewis Win 4 Osnel Charles, Super Lightweights
Jahmal Dyer Win 4 Vanderley Miranda, Super Lightweights
Quian Davis Win 4 Corey Morley, Heavyweights
Corey Weekley (Pro Debut) Win 4 Robert Terry (Pro Debut), Super Welterweights
Philadelphia’s Weekley and Jersey City, New Jersey’s Terry both debut and open the card
Boardwalk Boxing series event doors open 6 P.M., first bout 7 P.M. on Saturday evening, February 24, 2018, at Showboat Hotel, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, for the 12 bout boxing card. Tickets $1000 for VIP table, $150 ringside, $60 reserved, and $55 general admission at the door or online at https://www.ticketor.com/rspboxing/tickets/boardwalk-boxing-series-103131#buy
Parking is available at Showboat. Rooms are still available. For accommodations and more information, contact the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City at 1-877-387-9305 or online at https://www.showboatac.com. Showboat Atlantic City is a non-gaming and non-smoking hotel, families and pets welcome, restaurants on site. Out of towners can reach the event via Greyhound Bus (all connections) and Academy Buses from Port Authority New York City, New Jersey Transit, and Greyhound Philadelphia.
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