Peter Manfredo Jr. Talks Angel Hernandez Clash, Strategy

By Ryan Burton

 

Former Contender series participant and current middleweight contender Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo Jr. talks to BoxingScene.com about fighting Angel Hernandez on Saturday for the vacant IBO middleweight title.  Manfredo speaks on the keys to victory, the significance of winning the title and more in this exclusive interview.

 

BoxingScene.com:  How did training camp go for your upcoming fight with Angel Hernandez for the vacant IBO middleweight belt?

 

Peter Manfredo:  Training camp went well.  Training camp is done now and I am just concentrating on making weight.  I am chopping it off.  The weigh in is tomorrow and I have a couple more pounds to kill and then I am going to do my thing on Saturday night and win this title.  I got good work in.  We had good sparring with some of the best guys, some up and comers and some guys who had been around for a while.  I am in shape and ready to go. I feel good and I feel strong and you know, I am going to win.

 

BoxingScene.com:  You mentioned chopping off a couple more pounds to go.  Do you just need to cut the typical couple more pounds that all fighters need to cut or are you looking at more than the usual?

 

Peter Manfredo:  It is just the typical couple pounds a fighter has to lose.  That is part of boxing people don't see.  The behind the scenes stuff.  The fight I am ready for.  Fights are won in the gym.  I prepare myself well.  Now I am just sucking down the weight.  The plan is already set in stone and its just the plan to execute.  Saturday night we are going to execute the plan and we should come out successful.  I have all the confidence in the world in this fight.  Like I said I trained hard and I am ready to go.

 

BoxingScene.com:  This guy has been in the ring with a lot of big names.  He has beaten Frankie Randall and Buddy McGirt Jr. He went 12 rounds with Winky Wright and Kassim Ouma to name a few fighters.  Compare your ring experience to his.

 

Peter Manfredo:  I think we have about the same experience in the ring.  The only thing is I have fought the bigger guys.  I fought the guys at 68.  He has only fought the guys at 54.  I don't know if he has fought any big names at 60.  I am not sure about that.  It doesn't matter to me.  I know the kid is coming to win and coming to fight you know.  That is why they made the fight for a championship.  There is no easy fights at this level.  I know it is going to be a tough fight but I have to do my job.  I know I am a better boxer than he is.  I know he is tough and is going to be hard to stop.  He has only been stopped once and that was early in his career.  I just got to stick to the game plan and do what I have to do to win the fight.  I am definitely confident in my ability and come Saturday night I will be the world champion.

 

BoxingScene.com: Besides winning the belt are you looking to make a statement in this fight?

 

Peter Manfredo:  Yeah definitely.  The most important thing is to win that belt and be world champion.  I am making history here in Rhode Island.  Vinny Paz has been the only world champion from around here so I could be the second one.  To be the second one from Rhode Island would be huge.  The people and the fans here are excited.  I sell a lot of tickets.  There have been at least five thousand tickets sold already for this fight not counting the walk up.  The fans want to see a world champion.  I am going to do my best to give them that champion on Saturday night.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Assuming you get the win as planned have you thought about who you want next?

 

Peter Manfredo:  No I don't look for tomorrow.  I am looking for today.  I just want to win this fight and win this title.  I will let the managers and promoters decide what they want to do next.  I have never ducked a fighter.  I have fought the best at 68 and now I am back at 60 and I haven't ducked anybody since I have been back to 60.  Walid Smichet wanted to fight me and I went to Canada to fight him.  I beat him.  I was offered this world title shot versus Angel Hernandez that is the only thing on my mind.

 

BoxingScene.com:  IBF champion  Sebastian Sylvester has a fight coming up with Roman Karmazin.  I know you aren't looking ahead but does the winner interest you?

 

Peter Manfredo:  Like I said I am not looking past Hernandez and I also said I never ducked anyone either so I need to win this fight first.  Whoever my managers and promoters put me in with that is who I will fight.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Besides coming out with the win do you have a prediction for your fight?

 

Peter Manfredo:  I don't.  I am going to win and if the knockout comes it is a plus for me.  I am just looking to box this guy and look sharp doing it.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Do you have a message for the fans?

 

Peter Manfredo: I just want to thank the fans for never giving up on me.  They want me to be a world champion and their wish will come true on Saturday night.  I have prepared myself well and I am ready to go.  I am sharp and strong.  I will see them Saturday night.