Undefeated Providence super featherweight prospect Toka “T Nice” Kahn-Clary (5-0, 4 KOs) returns to ring Friday night for his first scheduled six-round bout.
The 21-year-old native of Liberia faces newly-crowned Texas State lightweight champion Pedro Pablo Torres (7-5-2, 5 KOs) on the non-televised portion of the Top Rank-promoted ESPN Friday Night Fights card at Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas.
In his last fight this past April, Kahn-Clary dropped Gadiel Andaluz (4-5-1, 2 KOs) three times in the opening round en route to a victory by technical knockout at the 1:32 mark.
“This fight means a lot to me,” Kahn-Clary said. “It’s my understanding that this guy is going to give me rounds. I’m looking forward to that because I haven’t fought a lot of rounds as a pro (12). I’ve been sparring a lot of hard rounds, especially with Thomas (Falowo, 10-1 middleweight with 7 KOs), who keeps coming forward throwing punches. I feel great; I’m in top shape, already on weight.
“I’m looking forward to fighting again in Las Vegas. This is a big opportunity that a lot of fighters don’t get. (Kahn-Clary won a four-round decision over Jesus Garza on December 6, 2012 at The Mirage in Las Vegas.) Hopefully, I’ll keep going out there and keep winning.”
Kahn-Clary’s promoter, Bob Arum’s Top Rank, has kept him active with this already his seventh professional fight since turning pro only a year ago. He had one “no contest” last October due to a cut over his eye from an unintentional head butt.
“He’s won all of his four-round fights – five plus the ‘no contest’ – and it’s time for him to move up to a six-rounder,” Toka-Kahn’s head trainer Peter Manfredo, Sr. explained. “He has steadily improved and looked good sparring 6-8 rounds. We can’t keep him back. It’s time! Toka is the most dedicated and disciplined fighter I’ve ever trained. At this stage, he’s the best fighter I’ve ever trained, including my son (Peter Manfredo, Jr.), Edwin Rodriguez, Jessie Brinkley and Ossie Duran.
“There’s no video available on his opponent, but he’s Mexican and they all come forward. Toka has to control the fight with his jab; everything comes off his jab. He’s worked nicely with angles and needs to continue sitting on his punches, going to the body, and taking advantage when his opponent’s off balance with strong counter punching like he did so well in his last fight.”
Kahn-Clary was a standout amateur who captured a gold medal at the 2010 U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament. He fights out of the new Manfredo Boxing Sports Fitness gym in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
