by James Slater: “The Pride Of Providence,” Peter Manfredo Junior, 30-5(15), is scheduled (according to BoxRec) to get back in the ring this coming August 22nd at The Twin River Event Centre in his native Rhode Island. The always watch-able Manfredo will be engaging in his third bout since losing on points to former IBF super-middleweight champion Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy – a fight that took place on the massive Floyd Mayweather-Ricky Hatton bill in Las Vegas..
Facing the runner-up from series one of “The Contender” T.V series will be a fighter who boxed on the third series of the reality show – Donny McCrary, a 25-year-old from Missouri. McCrary lost a unanimous five round decision to eventual series three winner Sakio Bika, and then a majority decision to David Banks on the grand finale show. A good fighter, with a 24-7-2(13) record, McCrary has boxed a number of good fighters outside of just the reality T.V world.
Turning pro back in June of 2003, the 25-year-old went on to face top class fighters such as Lucian Bute (KO by4), Kofi Jantuah (L RTD 3), Allan Greene (TKO by6) and Yuri Foreman (L UD10). And though McCrary lost to each of these men, he does have a few good wins over slightly lesser opposition. His devastating June 2007 1st round stoppage of the usually durable Eric Reagan (only stopped once previously, went the distance with Sergio Mora and beat Yori Boy Campas), proves how dangerous McCrary can be. While a draw with the capable Walid Smichet (who recently gave John Duddy sheer hell) isn’t bad form either.
So what can we expect when McCrary meets one of the stars of the first season of “The Contender?” Manfredo has bounced back well from his premature 3rd round stoppage loss to Joe Calzaghe. Such a loss would have devastated many a fighter, but the 27-year-old was back in the ring the following month. Winning his “comeback” fight and then one more, Manfredo was then out-pointed by Lacy last December. The fight was reasonably close, however, and if Manfredo had gone for it a little more he may well have pulled out a win. In any case, the Rhode Island man has won two since, both by stoppage. He will no doubt be looking to stop McCrary and make it three KO’s in a row in August.
It will be no easy job though. McCrary has boxed a number of fights at the super-middleweight limit and will be comfortable fighting at 168-pounds. And he is usually a pretty durable type – as his going the distance with the dangerous Bika would indicate. McCrary has been active as of late, too – winning his last fight just this past May. Stopped just three times, the last time by Greene two-and-a-half years ago, the 25-year-old figures to stick around a while against Manfredo.
Look for “The Pride of Providence” to get the win next month, more than likely after a few eventful rounds have passed. I go for Manfredo in about 7 or 8 rounds.