ATLANTIC CITY — After walking through the backstage curtain, Thomas LaManna uttered a cleansing curse and walked into an empty hallway at Bally’s Hotel and Casino to process the moment. Thirteen years earlier, LaManna made his professional debut in the same building and now received his greatest recognition as a professional.
On Saturday, June 8, the 32-year-old from Millville, Up-to-date Jersey defeated Juan Carlos Abreu via third-round stoppage, dropping the Dominican three times to end the fight at 2:15 and winning the vacant WBA “golden” middleweight title, a second-class belt that according to LaManna, it puts him first in line to fight the established champion. It was a milestone in the Up-to-date Jersey athlete’s career, validating a career that has had ups and downs.
“It’s just a real feeling to have equipment that does something in boxing. Now I’m going from the hunter to the hunted,” said LaManna (38-5-1, 17 knockouts).
Originally, LaManna was supposed to fight Johan Gonzalez, but Gonzalez dropped out, and in mid-April his opponent was Abreu (26-8-1, 24 KO). However, only LaManna was eligible to win the belt after Abreu missed weight and officially weighed in at 162.5 pounds, although he had to drop a few pounds after unofficially weighing in at around 166 pounds.
LaManna weighed 159.5 pounds.
Abreu’s weight issues centered on his abs, something LaManna began to focus on after scouting in the first round. Abreu got into range and was able to land a right hand here and there, but it was the jab of the 6’1” LaManna that controlled the action for the most part. LaManna was finally able to make an impression on Abreu in the third quarter when a right uppercut scored the first knockdown.
“It was a shot to the chin, I know because the hand was a bit ring-shaped. The second and third were more expressive because for the last minute we were like robots rocking their socks off. Whoever lands first will be one of us. We grabbed him and got him out of there,” LaManna said.
The victory was the culmination of a long run for LaManna, during which he won his first 16 fights as a professional but struggled to achieve a signature victory, suffering losses in subsequent fights to the likes of Antoine Douglas, Jorge Cota and Brian Mendoza. and suffered a first-round knockout loss in 2021 to Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight world title.
The victory over Abreu, his eighth in a row, is his best to date, as Abreu has shown his class in a close majority decision loss to Charles Conwell in 2022 and going six rounds to Jaron Ennis in 2020.
LaManna’s longtime trainer, Reggie Lloyd, tells The Ring that Abreu’s high knockout percentage didn’t worry him too much because Abreu doesn’t maintain a high work rate and only looks for gigantic punches. He said the key is to maintain good defense and stay busy.
“Just touch the body, stay behind the jab and take advantage of his height. We know this guy likes to turn his back, so I told him to employ his jab and put his right hand to his body, but it broke him,” Lloyd said.
LaManna says he plans to petition the WBA to get a second chance at Lara, but is open to other gigantic fights at 160 pounds.
“Let’s try to consolidate, it’s a great story. But financially, [Lara] don’t really draw much. Regardless of the gigantic fights at 160 pounds. I was connected to Chris Eubank, we were talking about Jarrett Hurd, me and Danny Garcia would be crazy here in Atlantic City. Now that I’ve won this belt, I think it’s going to solidify it a little bit where I get the right opportunity,” LaManna said.
Other results
Chiara Dituri (9-1, 3 KO) of Brooklyn, Up-to-date York, picked up her second straight victory after suffering her first career loss, defeating Perla Lomeli (5-2) of Mexicali, Mexico by split decision. Two judges scored the fight for Dituri 77-75 and 78-74, while the third judge scored it 77-75 for Lomela.
Gabriel Gerena (6-0, 5 KO) earned his first victory since graduating last month with a degree in finance from Rutgers Business School, defeating Lyle McFarlane (2-6, 1 KO) to a stoppage in the fifth round of a six-man bout. round planned junior welterweight fight. Gerena, 22, is from Piscataway, Up-to-date Jersey
Lightweight Justin Palmieri (2-0, 1 KO) of Maple Shade, Up-to-date Jersey earned his first career stoppage, defeating Andrew Toppin (0-2) once in the first round with a body shot before finishing him with a right hand to the body after followed by a left hook to the chin in the second round, which led to throwing in the towel at 2:10. Palmieri, 24, trains alongside LaManna and Reggie Lloyd.
Palmieri, who turned professional last November, had a tiny amateur career of just eight fights, although he had not competed for more than two years before his debut.
“I’ve always had the style of a pro, I’ve never had that super swift pace. I always wanted to pick my shots and really count them. It was just a matter of time, I wasn’t going to be an Olympian or anything like that, so I just wanted to get to the pros as soon as possible,” Palmieri said of his decision to turn pro.
Damian Tinnerello (2-0, 2 KO) of Berlin, Up-to-date Jersey earned his second straight victory in three months, defeating Jordan Drayton (0-1) of Brooklyn at 2:57 of the first round of their four-round junior middleweight fight . Tinnerello, 21, who has been serving in the Air National Guard for a year, had one knockdown with a right hand before a left hook to the body ended the matter.
“I set him up for that stabbing. We executed our game plan, stayed composed and patient. I saw an opportunity and I took it. He didn’t belong there, so I eliminated him,” Tinnerello said.
WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.
Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”
WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.
Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.
As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.
However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.
Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.
Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.
Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.
Deontay Wilder has not retired from boxing at the age of 39, and the former WBC heavyweight champion has not issued any official statement.
World Boxing News can confirm that reports circulating on social media are false and originated from a imitation account on Up-to-date Year’s Day. As of January 2, 2025, WBN has had no word from Wilder that he plans to hang up his gloves.
As usual, WBN also asked Shelly Finkel for comment. However, Finkel has repeatedly said in the past that Wilder is not retiring. This case seems to be no different.
The last time Wilder spoke publicly was while promoting a mental health app, the Brown Bomber was unveiling plans to return to the sport.
He said: “The push-up protocol has been disabled. Strengthen your body and train your mind; no paid subscription required! It’s not about money. It’s about a mission to strengthen mindsets and improve mental health for all. To everyone: operate your services and achieve greatness.
“There will be people who tell you, ‘No, you can’t.’ [No] People trying to stop you or putting up stop signs. [No] People who want to bring you down and keep you down. But you can’t give up.
“No matter how many times you fall, no matter how many times you get knocked down, it’s a resilient mind, a confident mind, a powerful mind that gets back up and keeps moving forward to achieve your greatness.
“Apply your service. Achieve your greatness,” he added.
Deontay Wilder could announce his retirement tomorrow if he changed his mind, but at the time of the report, there was no truth to it.
When Zhilei Zhang knocked him out on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, the formidable top-flight contender needed time to assess his situation. WBN understands that Wilder has received offers, including contact from Francis Ngannou, regarding a possible boxing match with the MMA star.
The Wilder vs. Ngannou fight only makes sense for an American his age. Many voluntary positions [of which Wilder is WBC number 13] are occupied by threatening opponents who would start each clash as favorites.
Meanwhile, the Ngannou fight is winnable with less risk and more rewards, meaning Wilder can still earn a significant payday before hanging up his gloves for good.
Rising Irish boxing star Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, 11 KO), the current World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight continental champion, had to withdraw from his scheduled December “stay busy” fight due to a minor injury but now is preparing to fight his biggest rival in what may be the most anticipated Irish boxing match in history.
The All-Ireland fight between Donovan, who fights in Limerick and trains in Dublin, and Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (20-0, 11 KO) of Belfast, Northern Ireland, is scheduled for March 1. “Point of Pride” will headline the Matchroom Boxing card, which will be broadcast live on DAZN from the SES Arena as part of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world title eliminator. Just two fights away, Donovan could win a world title if he defeats Crocker as the IBF mandatory challenger.
“There is something different about a good Irish fighter and I believe I will be next,” Donovan declared. “I think turning pro at 19 and now 25 has required a lot of life changes since I turned pro. What matters most is what I learned in the gym, because it was the ups and downs in life – being a husband and father, losing loved ones – that helped me improve. I improved as a person, which helped me become a better fighter.”
A true fighter from the past, Donovan is currently rated by three of the four major sanctioning bodies: WBA No. 5, IBF No. 6 and World Boxing Council No. 14. He has dreamed of being a world champion since he was seven years senior.
“I’m in an amazing position, so I thank God for that and my team, Andy Lee (head coach/co-manager) and (Up-to-date York lawyer) Keith Sullivan (co-manager),” Donovan noted. “It’s great to be ranked so highly at this stage of my career, but I’m where I need to be. To be ranked so high on three major sanctioning bodies is great. I know I won’t stop until I become world champion.
“I’m always at the gym thinking about the next challenge. I say it’s time. I love what I do. I am very grateful to God for being in this situation. I believe in God’s plan for me to become world champion.”
“It’s definitely going to be an explosive fight,” commented Up-to-date York attorney Keith Sullivan, who co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who is also Paddy’s head trainer. “Two tough, resilient Irishmen who have a lot to prove to the world. We were worried about the injury, but we are sure it will not be a problem during the March 1 battle. Paddy is locked down and training difficult under the watchful eye of coach Andy Lee.
Donovan has dedicated several of his recent fights to Pieta, using his boxing platform to promote the suicide prevention charity, which provides mental health services across Ireland. Paddy lost two relatives to suicide. The Pietra Crisis Helpline, at 1-800-247-247, offers crisis intervention support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm, as well as support for those grieving as a result of suicide.
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