Thomas LaManna Calls Daxx Allegations Ridiculous
By Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media Correspondent
New York, NY (February 9, 2013)–Rising New Jersey middleweight contender Thomas ‘Cornflake’ LaManna, who worked the corner of middleweight Josh Williams in his victory over Bryant Pappas on May 12, 2012 at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York, praised the officials of the New York State Athletic Commission for doing an excellent job at that event and termed any allegation he had anything to do with the boxing gloves which were supplied at the event as ‘ridiculous’.
A three part online article written by Daxx Khan on the Billycboxing.com site, with the third part posted February 7, 2013, claims another Williams corner person named ‘Rich’ stated on audio the Fuel Boxing gloves used by Williams in his win over Pappas were supplied by either LaManna, or Williams’ manager and trainer Brandon Foster. Title, Everlast and Fuel gloves are among the regulation approved boxing gloves approved for professional boxing events by the New York State Boxing Commission. The article also contains allegations concerning commission officials and their activities related to the Williams dressing room before the fight.
Daxx Khan’s article:http://www.billycboxing.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73:coming-up-home-page&catid=36:home-page
The way the Daxx Khan article provided its ‘sources’ of ‘inside’ information, it gave me the feel of Barney Rubble telling something to Fred Flintstone, then Fred Flintstone then telling it to Wilma Flintstone, then Wilma Flintstone telling to to Betty Rubble, and then Betty Rubble telling it back to Barney Rubble again. Incoherent gibberish presented in gobbledygook convoluted language, like a brainless duck quacking on the farm, making a lot of noise but best off being ignored. It’s a strong argument for verifying facts at the source, rather than sinking to the level of unverifiable questionable sources several times removed-with twisted intent designed to hurt innocent, good people. In circles of responsible journalism, we just shouldn’t do that. Innocent people can be hurt, such as a horrified Muhammad Ali was when he was reported near death by the sensationalistic tabloid Sun newspaper in Great Britain while Ali was in fact enjoying Super Bowl XLVII at home in Phoenix. Ali had to field telephone calls from his frightened children and respond to the media visually to prove he was still alive instead of watching the game, which Ali did forcefully, but it still should never have happened in the first place.
In an exclusive interview with Real Combat Media, Thomas LaManna and his father, Vinny LaManna, clarified the truth of events on May 12, 2012, clearing both himself and the New York State Athletic Commission-calling Facebook statements of Bryan Pappas and his manager Stacy Goodson a case of online sour grapes.
For reader information, Vinny LaManna, promoted boxing club shows in New Jersey in the 1990’s, featuring the likes of boxers Ray Mercer and Imamu Mayfield.
RCM: “Thomas, Dax Khan’s online article claims you might have supplied the Fuel boxing gloves Josh Williams fought with in Poughkeepsie in his bout against Bryant Pappas. Williams is known to sponsored by Fuel Fight Gear.”
Thomas LaManna: “I had absolutely anything to do with the gloves used by Williams. Absolutely ridiculous.”
RCM: “What role did you play in the Williams corner in the May 2012 event?”
Thomas LaManna: “I worked the corner for Josh Williams as a second. Williams manager and trainer Brandon Foster was in the corner with me.”
RCM: “Who provides the boxing gloves at professional boxing events?”
Vinny LaManna: “When we do boxing shows, we have a ring guy who provides an approved boxing ring and approved ring gloves to the New York or New Jersey Athletic Commissions.”
RCM: “Who provided the gloves at the Poughkeepsie boxing show?”
Thomas LaManna: “To the best of my knowledge, Promoter Brian Hurk supplied the gloves. The gloves were handed to him by the gloves guy. That’s what was distributed by the Williams camp.”
RCM: “Describe for us the factual scene first hand inside the dressing room of middleweight boxer Josh Williams firsthand as you saw it, to give us a true picture of the events which transpired, versus the purported allegations of Daxx Khan?”
Thomas LaManna: “The New York State Athletic Commission did their job. An NYSAC inspector was with Josh Williams in the dressing room while he was getting his hands wrapped, and while he was having his boxing gloves put on-at all times. There were three inspectors involved, and someone was supervising matters in the dressing room-at all times. Ralph Petrillo, Felix Figueroa and another inspector were in the room. At one point, Mr. Figueroa stepped out to get Mr. Petrillo, leaving the third inspector in charge.”
RCM: “How did the controversy over the boxing gloves begin and where?
Thomas LaManna: “Stacy Goodson, the manager of Bryant Pappas (who was not present at the bout in Poughkeepsie) started making allegations on Facebook.”
Vinny LaManna: “Stacy Goodson said on Facebook ‘Your son brought the gloves, and you’re liable to a lawsuit’ and I don’t really care-but I didn’t like it.”
RCM Reader’s Note: Pappas claimed in an online article he wrote that Thomas LaManna worked for Fuel Fight Gear, and the company was out of business. Fuel Fight Gear is still in business but is now called Ediroc Sportswear. For purposes of clarification, Thomas LaManna never worked for Fuel Fight Gear. For purposes of commission approval, Fuel Fight Gear Gloves, now called Ediroc Pro Boxing Gloves, are approved for pro boxing use in such states as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Nevada. They can seen online at http://ediroc.com/proboxing/
RCM: “Are Stacy Goodson and Bryant Pappas on a fishing expedition?”
Vinny LaManna: “Absolutely!”
RCM: “How have your found the online expressions of Stacy Goodson, Pappa’s manager?”
Vinny LaManna: “Stacy Goodson has hated towards both of us.”
RCM: “Daxx Khan’s online article allegations claim the New York State Athletic Commission never inspected the hand tape or boxing gloves of Josh Williams. Is this true or false? What were your observations as the corner second in the dressing room”
Thomas LaManna: “It’s 100% a lie. The hand wraps and gloves were inspected and signed off by the athletic commission. How could Bryant Pappas’ people make these assumptions? What they are bitter and sour about is Bryant Pappas is an ordinary part time fighter who wants to fight the Arkansas circuit type of opponent, and the New York State Athletic Commission had (previously) given Pappas leeway. Finally Pappas had to step up (in level of opposition) and his people picked the wrong guy (to fight). John Williams is a fighter with heart, determination and skill. Williams is not an Arkansas type of opponent. The guy’s a good fighter.”
RCM: “Gloves are provided by the promoter, but the final decision is subject to commission approval. If the commission decides to authorize the use of gloves not provided by the commission for whatever, it needs to be a commission approved boxing glove.”
Vinny LaManna: “There’s a lawyer’s cease and desist letter for Stacy Goodson and Bryant Pappas (coming their way). If they continue with (their) scandalous remarks, we will proceed with legal action against them.”
Thomas LaManna is next scheduled to fight March 8, 2013, at Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz and Samson Boxing. His father, Vinny LaManna, has been a known presence in New Jersey boxing circles for over 20 years.
Vinny LaManna: “I have doing boxing management and promotion since 1989. The first fighter I was involved with in my boxing career was 1988 Olympic Heavyweight Boxing Gold Medalist Ray Mercer. I didn’t manage Ray Mercer, I was just a part of their team, who welcomed me in to learn. I went on to manage fringe contenders and world champions, and have co-promoted over 50 events in Virginia, New Jersey and Florida.”
RCM: “What causes ridiculous allegations among competing boxing camps?”
Vinny LaManna: “People in the boxing world are jealous of other people’s knowledge and success.”
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