Popular N.J. Fighter Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna Headlines Boardwalk Boxing’s Return to Atlantic City’s Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall August 20
10-Bout Card Features Co-Main Championship Title Event, Five Top Undefeated Prospects and Debuting Hometown Fighter
Atlantic City, N.J. (August 12) – Popular New Jersey fighter Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (31-5-1, 13 KOs) will step back into the ring to face veteran Saul Roman (46-15, 38 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico, in Boardwalk Boxing’s Main Event at Atlantic City’s Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall Saturday, Aug. 20. The Rising Star Promotions event with a 10-bout card is presented in association with the Showboat Hotel and the Atlantic City Sports Commission.
LaManna is coming off a TKO win over Felix Bojorquez in his last fight one year ago, after losing to Erislandy Lara for the WBA World Middleweight Championship in May 2021. LaManna is competing for the 20th time in the resort fight town, the second time at the historic Boardwalk Hall venue. Meanwhile, Roman last fought in May 2021, falling to Rafael Amarillas Ortiz.
Undefeated Puerto Rican bantamweight Emmanuel “Salserito” Rodriguez (11-0, 5KOs), from Newark, N.J. will battle Frank “El Castigador” Gonzalez (9-2, 4KOs) of Miami, Fla. for the WBO NABO Latino Championship Bantamweight Belt in the evening’s Co-Main Event.
The rest of the lineup will showcase a host of exciting undefeated prospects, including Newark, N.J. flyweight Anthony Johns, Woodbridge, N.J. bantamweight Jose Nieves, Duarte, Calif. super lightweight Kurt Scoby, Scranton, Pa. middleweight Ryan Wilczak, and Chattanooga, Tenn. welterweight Avious Griffin. New York City cruiserweight Paul Bamba will also be featured.
Atlantic City cruiserweight Justin “Time” Figueroa, a Holy Spirit High School graduate, will make his pro debut against Tavaris Smith (0-5) of Toledo, Ohio in a 4-round contest. A 2021 New Jersey Diamond Gloves and 2021 Carolina Gloves champion, Figueroa, who is a member of Atlantic City’s beach patrol, represented Team New Jersey at the 2021 USA Boxing National Championships.
Fight Card
Main Event
Light Heavyweight – 8 Rounds
Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (31-5-1, 13 KOs) of Millville, N.J. vs Saul Roman (46-15, 38 KOs) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Co-Main Event
WBO NABO Latino Championship
Bantamweight – 10 Rounds
Emmanuel “Salserito” Rodriguez (11-0, 5KOs) of Newark, N.J. by way of Quebradillas, Puerto Rico vs. Frank “El Castigador” Gonzalez (9-2, 4KOs, Miami, Fla.)
Flyweight – 4 Rounds
Anthony Johns (3-0, 3 KOs) of Newark, N.J. vs. Jerrod Minor (2-14-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia, Pa.
Bantamweight – 4 Rounds
Jose Nieves (3-0, 2 KOs) of Woodbridge, N.J. vs. Juan Sequeira (1-0) of San Juan, Puerto Rico by way of Nicaragua
Cruiserweight – 4 Rounds
Paul Bamba (4-1, 3 KOs) of New York, N.Y. by way of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico vs. Derrick Vann (1-3) of Philadelphia, Pa.
Middleweight – 4 Rounds
Justin “Time” Figueroa (Pro Debut) of Atlantic City, N.J. vs Tavaris Smith (0-5) of Toledo, Ohio
Middleweight – 6 Rounds
Ryan Wilczak (9-0, 4 KOs) of Scranton, Pa. vs. Dewayne Williams (3-4-1, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pa.
Super Lightweight – 6 Rounds
Kurt Scoby (7-0, 5 KOs) of Duarte, Calif., fighting out of New York, N.Y. vs. Raul Chirino (19-15, 12 KOs) of Miami, Fla.
Welterweight – 6 Rounds
Avious Griffin (7-0, 6 KOs) of Chattanooga, Tenn. vs. Ramon Duarte Marquez (4-1, 4 KOs) of Bowie, Ariz.
Featherweight – 6 Rounds
Carlos Ramos (15-2, 10 KOs) of Madrid, Spain vs. Andrew Bentley (5-6, 1 KO) of Irvington, N.J.
All bouts are subject to change.
Tickets for Boardwalk Boxing: Rising Star Series Rd. 2, priced at $65 (general admission), $85 (premium), $155 (floor), $200 (front row floor) plus taxes/fees, can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations, including Ticketmaster.com and at the US ARMY Box Office at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.