N.J.’s very own middleweight firebrand, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (35-5-1, 14 KOs), is set to defend his hard-won WBA Fedelatin Middleweight Championship belt. The challenger is none other than the powerhouse from Campana, Argentina, Juan Manual “El Principito” Witt (33-1-2, 25 KOs). The showdown is the headliner of a stacked 10-fight card presented by Rising Star Promotions and the Atlantic City Sports Commission, slated to ignite the historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday, July 22 at 7:00 pm.
Besides throwing down in the ring, LaManna is the mastermind behind the event, serving as its promoter. He clinched his title after trouncing Salim Larbi in an adrenaline-filled match in Orlando, Fla., earlier this March. The Millville, N.J. native is riding high on a wave of five straight victories and will be stepping into the Atlantic City ring for the 22nd time, all while steadily scaling the middleweight ranks. LaManna is honing his craft under the watchful eye of Philly’s Derek “Bozy” Ennis, who also trains his son, the unbeaten welterweight sensation, Jaron “Boots” Ennis.
Witt, on the other hand, will be squaring off on U.S. turf for just the second time. He took a hit to his previously unblemished record in June 2022, when Brandon Berry handed him his first professional defeat. Before that, Witt enjoyed an impressive run, going undefeated in 35 fights since turning pro in 2008.
The evening’s lineup is brimming with promising prospects across various weight classes. Get ready for Albanian heavyweight knockout machine Kristian Prenga, local junior middleweight hotshot Justin “Time” Figueroa, and Anthony “Big Back” Johns, the 2019 National Golden Gloves champ. Sharahya Taina-Moreu, a nine-time National Boxing champ and a 2021 Team USA Olympic alternate, is also set to make her much-anticipated pro debut.
Boardwalk Boxing July 22 lineup
(bouts and order subject to change)
#6 Special Attraction
WBA Fedecentro Heavyweight Championship
10 Rounds – Heavyweight
Kristian Prenga of Mirdite, Albania (13-1, 13 KOs) vs. Santander Sligado (32-15, 26 KOs) of Arboletes, Colombia
#5 Main Event
WBA Fedelatin Middleweight Championship
10 Rounds – Middleweight
Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (35-5-1, 14 KOs) of Millville, N.J. vs. Juan Manuel “El Principito” Witt (33-1-2, 25 KOs) of Campana, Argentina
#4 Special Attraction
6 Rounds – Junior Middleweight
Justin “Time“ Figueroa (5-0, 5 KOs) of Atlantic City, N.J. vs. Jeff “Relentless” Lentz (5-1, 1 KO) of Egg Harbor Township, N.J.
#3 Bout
4 Rounds – Lightweight
Sharahya “PuebloRican” Taina-Moreu (Pro Debut) of Albuquerque, N.M. vs. Janaisa Morandin (0-1) of Florianopolis, Brazil
#2 Bout
8 Rounds – Super Middleweight
Nadim Salloum (10-1, 4 KOs) of Brooklyn, N.Y. vs Antonio Ocles (12-12, 3 KO) of Quito, Ecuador
#1 Bout
4 Rounds – Lightweight
Daniel Gonzalez (Pro Debut) of Iselin, N.J. vs. Michael Ruiz (0-1) of Toms River, N.J.
Doors will be swinging open at 6:00 pm, with ticket prices ranging from a wallet-friendly $65 for general reserve to a cool $250 for first-row ringside VIP treatment. Snag your tickets at any Ticketmaster location, on Ticketmaster.com, or at the US ARMY Box Office at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.