Small Step for Thomas LaManna in Comeback at Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
*Photo Credit: Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media
Atlantic City, NJ (August 23rd, 2022)– After falling short in his bid to win a share of the world middleweight title, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna, by his own admission, lost his competitive edge and emotional fire of desire to become a world champion. Withdrawing inside himself blew up to 232 pounds, and had to look inside himself to lose weight and return to competitive form.
In the main event of an eight bout Rising Promotions card at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Saturday evening, August 20, 2022, LaManna, down to 170 pounds and fighting at light heavyweight, won a hard fought eight round decision over veteran Saul Roman, who came off the canvas in the fifth round to survive LaManna’s comeback tuneup. LaManna’s win was the second win of his comeback, LaManna having stopped Felix Bojorquez in Agua Prieta, Mexico in August 2021.
LaManna, 32-5-1 with 13 knockouts, Millville, New Jersey, appeared to win every round except the fourth round. Roman, 46-16 with 38 knockouts, Tijuana, Mexico, took a beating from head shots, but countered enough to keep the fight going, as LaManna did not floor the gas pedal and got in rounds of work against an opponent LaManna probably could have knocked out if he wanted to. LaManna paced himself smartly, picking his shots, but not punching himself out against 62 bout veteran Roman, age 42, a loser of his last three bouts since 2019, and clearly at the end of his trail.
In the postfight interview, LaManna explained “In my next bout at Showboat, I will keep stepping up. This was a comeback bout. I fought a crappy old veteran who just wanted to survive. At the end of the day, I fought a bum. Whoever my team says I fight, I’ll fight. Middleweight is where I am going to fight in the future. I cannot go lower at this point.”
Thomas LaManna Win 8 Saul Roman, Middleweights
Referee: Ricky Gonzalez
Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall Undercard Results
Emmanuel Rodriguez KO 4 Frank Gonzalez, Bantamweights
Rodriguez wins vacant World Boxing Organisation Latino Bantamweight title
Gonzalez knocked down twice in third round, and knocked down and out in fourth round
WBO Supervisor: Porfirio Betegon
Justin Figueroa (Pro Debut) KO 1 Tavaris Smith, Middleweights
Atlantic City’s Figueroa made short work of Ohio’s 0-6 Smith, who needs a new profession
Anthony Johns Win 4 Jerrod Minor, Flyweights
Newark 4-0 flyweight prospect Johns beat up Philadelphia’s 2-15 Minor. Scoring: 40-36, 40-36, and 39-37 for Johns.
Kurt Scoby KO 1 Raul Chirino, Super Lightweights (2::03)
7-0 New York City prospect Scoby made short work of Miami’s 19-16 vet Chirino.
Avious Griffin KO 2 Ramon Marquez, Welterweights
Tennessee 9-0 welterweight prospect Griffin knocks out Arizona’s 4-2 Marquez.
Jose Nieves Win 4 Jose Sequeira, Featherweights
4-0 New Jersey prospect Nieves got dropped in first round by 1-1 Sequeira of Nicaragua.
Paul Bamba Win Split Decision 4 Derrick Vann, Light Heavyweights
5-1 New York prospect Bamba got taken on a trip to living hell by Philadelphia’s Vann, whose record proved deceiving. Scoring: 38-37, 38-37 Bamba, and 38-37 for Vann.
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