Having been out of the ring for nearly four months, Vladine Biosse is itching to show his loyal fans what he learned during his much-needed “vacation” when he returns Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 at Twin River Casino.
“You’re going to see a different Vladine Biosse,” promised the super middleweight prospect from Providence, R.I., appropriately nicknamed “Mr. Providence,” who will star in the six-round co-feature of the finale of Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports’ Thursday Night Fight Series next week.
Of course, the term “vacation” is used facetiously since Biosse (14-1-1, 7 KOs) never really left the gym this summer despite not having a fight to prepare for. Instead, he and his trainer, Orlondo Valles, headed back to the drawing board to figure out what Biosse could do better, even in the aftermath of his knockout win over Michael Walchuck on July 19 at Twin River.
“That time off wasn’t to rest. That time off was to learn,” Biosse said. “We feel like we’ve gotten to the level where we have to step up the competition even more, so we needed a little time away to try to put some things together – some different things we saw from previous fights we needed to fix.
“It was a good thing, but as much as I thought it was a good idea, I still missed being in the ring, so the time to rest is done. I’m ready now. I’m more prepared. I’ll be more relaxed and much stronger mentally when I’m in the ring. I feel great.”
There’s also the added bonus of fighting on the same card as Providence’s Peter Manfredo Jr., who will face Rayco Saunders in the main event next Thursday. Since his meteoric rise as one of New England’s top prospects, followed by a successful stint on the debut season of The Contender reality television series, which made him a household name worldwide, Manfredo Jr. has been Rhode Island’s most beloved fighter for the past decade.
With two nationally-televised wins already on his resume, a fan base that continues to grow with each fight, and an outgoing personality to match his ability in the ring, Biosse is right on his heels – perhaps the heir to Manfredo’s throne once “The Pride Of Providence” finally steps away from the ring.
Eight years ago, Vinny Paz, the former five-time world champion from Providence, passed the torch to Manfredo Jr., both figuratively and literally, shortly before Manfredo Jr. began his journey with The Contender. Could Biosse be next?
“That’s what I fight for,” he said. “I feel I have so much more to give in this game. Being the man Peter is and everything he’s accomplished in this sport, hopefully one day I’ll be the guy he turns to in order to pass it onto me.”
Until then, Biosse is just thrilled to share the same stage as a fighter he considers a close friend and a mentor.
“Peter is one of my favorites,” Biosse said. “When I was first starting straight out of college and learning to box, long before my first amateur fights, he was already a pro and the man on The Contender, and he was one of the guys always encouraging me. He’s such a great personality and a great person.
“He’d never tell anyone, ‘Hey, you’re too old,’ or, ‘You don’t have what it takes.’ He was always the guy who, despite the discouragement I’d get from others, would tell me, ‘Keep doing it. Keep pushing yourself.’ With a guy who is positive like that, you run out of words.”
Local fight fans have other ideas; many want to see that proverbial torch change hands in the ring. Biosse has heard all the rumors, and he remains focused on the task at hand, though he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of he and Manfredo Jr. facing one another if – somehow, some way – their paths crossed in the ring.
“There’s a time and place for everything,” Biosse said. “I will always respect Peter and have love for him whether we fight or not. When the time comes, it will come, but there will definitely be no animosity or hard feelings. The game is the game, and you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. That’s part of being in this business.
“If that fight is ever offered to me I’d be honored just to get in the same ring with him.”
That “time and place” is nothing more than an illusion right now for both fighters. Manfredo Jr. is back after a one-year layoff with no plans of passing his torch just yet, while Biosse – despite everything he’s accomplished in just three years – is still climbing the ladder one step at a time. Neither fighter is looking past Nov. 29, especially Biosse, who is looking to shake off the rust and show off his new look for his hometown fans.
“I’ll be ready,” Biosse said. “My fans will get the best of me, as they always do.”
