Now at Welterweight, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna sees bright future

LaManna makes Welterweight debut this Saturday against Ariel Vasquez at the Claridge in Atlantic City

(Photo: Box Rec)

Atlantic City, NJ — On Saturday night, December 5th, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna take on Ariel Vasquez in the main event of a card that will take place at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

The card is promoted by Rising Boxing Promotions in association with Vincent M. Ponte’s Gulf Stream Promotions.

The fight card will also be in conjunction with Ray McCline of The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame.

LaManna (18-1, 7 KO’s) of nearby Millville, New Jersey & Vasquez (12-11-2, 8 KO’s) of Managua, Nicaragua will take part in a 8-round welterweight bout.

Vasquez is coming off a majority decision defeat to undefeated Thomas Mattice on November 25th in Erie, PA.

This will be the maiden voyage in the 147-pound division for the 6’2″ LaManna.  He spent his career at Middleweight and Jr. Middleweight.”

I don’t know much about Vasquez other than he’s a southpaw. I’m in great shape and will be ready for the task at hand,” said LaManna.

“I feel good at the weight. I haven’t had a problem maintaining a decent weight so It wasn’t as difficult to make it. The welterweight division is wide open and I see opportunities coming in the near future.”

“Rising  Promotions and Vincent Ponte’s Gulf Stream Promotions is looking to have a huge breakout 2016 and bring boxing back to Atlantic City, but first we have to get past Ariel Vasquez.”

LaManna’s trainer, Raul “Chino”  Rivas has had success moving fighter’s to their proper weight class and he feels LaManna will benefit greatly fighting at Welterweight.

“This will be his first fight at 147 pounds”, said Rivas.  “Camp has been excellent and he is in great shape.  I believe he has been fighting out of his weight class.  He is not a 154 pounder, let alone a 160 pound fighter.  He is a Welterweight and people will see his knockout ratio improve.”

“Thomas will be sharp for this fight.  He is still a young fighter and by next year, you will see his strength mature into his Welterweight frame,” finished Rivas.

Said, Debbie LaManna of Rising Promotions, “This is our first show and we are excited to be doing this in Atlantic City, which has an incredible boxing history.  I want to thank the Claridge as well as it has been a great pleasure to work with New Jersey Athletic Commission.  Larry Hazzard and Rhonda Utley are great to work with.”

Said Vinny LaManna, Father/Manager of Thomas LaManna, “Between his last two fights, Thomas has looked remarkably better.  This a great move for him to go to Welterweight and I feel he will come into his own.”

Said, Vincent M. Ponte of Gulfstream Promotions, “We are pleased with the development of Thomas and we look for big things out him in 2016.

LaManna will be taking part in his 3rd fight in 4 months.

“I also like to thank my sponsors MHP, RPM Auto Sales and HARD Beverages.”

Vasquez, 28 years old turned professional in 2005 and fought his first 11 fights in his native Nicaragua.  He twice fought Juan Antonio Rodriguez for the WBC Youth Featherweight title and held undefeated Eliezer Landas (10-0) to a draw in a bout for the WBA Fedecentro Super Bantamweight title.

He has faced five undefeated fighters including his last three.

In the 6-round co-feature, Welterweight Anthony “Juice” Young (11-1, 5 KO’s) of Atlantic City will take on Cherry Hill’s Anthony Prescott (5-7-2, 2 KO’s) in a battle for New Jersey bragging rights.

The 27 year-old native of Atlantic City has a record of 11-1 with five knockouts, will be making his 5th appearance in his hometown.  He is coming off a 6-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Garcia on August 15th in Atlantic City.

Prescott has wins over undefeated Anthony Miller (1-0) and Anthony Abbruzzese (3-0).  He is coming off a 6-round unanimous decision defeat to Kareem Martin on August 28th in Washington, D.C.

In a 6-round bout:

John Lennox (13-3, 5 KO’s) of Carteret, NJ will take on Willis Lockett of Takoma Park, MD.

In 4-round Bouts:

Alvin Vermall (6-0-1, 6 KO’s) of Lake Place, LA will fight Brian Donahue of Philadelphia in a Cruiserweight bout.

Quian Davis (0-0-1) of Vineland, NJ will fight Santario Holdbrooks (0-2) of Kannapolis, NC in a Heavyweight bout.

Edgar Cortes (2-1) of Vineland, NJ will see action in a Bantamweight bout.

Luis Perozo of New York will make his pro debut against Darius Jackson (0-2) of Anderson, SC in a Lightweight bout.

Tickets are $50 GA, $75 Ringside, $75 Stage & $125 VIP (Booths of 5 available for $500) and are available at RisingBoxingPromotions.com

The Clardige Hotel is located at  123 S. Indiana Ave. Atlantic City NJ.