On Saturday night, March 19, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will take part in the main event of a card that will take place at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.
“We are looking forward to this event March 19th” said Debra LaManna of Rising Star Promotions. “Our first show in December was a big success and we are only getting better. I want to thank The Claridge Hotel for being the host to this event. We have four dates this year with March 19th as our kick off and in May as our following date. I also want to thank all the boxers that risk their lives and participate in Rising Star events to please the fans because that is what it’s all about. My mission as President is to give back to the fighters and make them feel appreciated. A big goal we have is to bring the “sport” back into boxing and not just “business”. It continues March 19th on the boardwalk in Atlantic City.”
LaManna (19-1, 7 KO’s) of nearby Millville, New Jersey will be making his second consecutive appearance at The Claridge. LaManna won a 8-round unanimous decision over Ariel Vasquez on December 5th.
LaManna used his reach and height and worked behind his jab to keep Vasquez at bay. As the fight wore on, LaManna started to dominate with body punches and cruised home to victory to the tune of 79-72 on two scorecards and 78-73.
The 24 year-old LaManna turned professional in 2011 and won his first sixteen bouts that were highlighted by wins over Ashandi Gibbs & Jamaal Davis.
Since suffering his only loss to world ranked Middleweight Antoine Douglas on ShoBox: The New Generation, LaManna has won three straight which includes a 6-round unanimous decision over rugged Ayi Bruce on September 26th in Beach Haven, New Jersey.
This will be LaManna’s second fight at Welterweight after moving down from Middleweight.
“I’m excited to headline for the second time in Atlantic City. I feel great in the Welterweight division and I look to make a lot of noise in 2016. I want to thank the whole Rising Star Promotions team as well as Vinny Ponte of Gulf Stream Promotions for giving me yet another opportunity to display my talent at such a high class venue in Atlantic City. I also would like to thank the Claridge Hotel and the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame for all the help and support in making this event possible.” said Thomas LaManna
In the 6-round co-feature, former IBF Cruiserweight champion Imamu Mayfield will be making his long awaited comeback in a Heavyweight bout.
Mayfield of Perth Amboy, New Jersey will making his first appearance in just for 8-years.
Mayfield won the IBF Cruiserweight championship when he won a 12-round unanimous decision over Uriah Grant on November 8, 1997. He made one defense and was stopped by Arthur Williams on October 30, 1998.
Mayfield won the USBA Cruiserweight title with 10th round stoppage over Gary Wilcox on June 30, 2001.
Mayfield has also fought world champions Juan Carlos Gomez, Krzystof Wlodarczyk and Alexander Povetkin.
A full undercard will be announced shortly.