Manfredo wins in Coeur d'Alene!

May 5, 2008

By Sam DiTusa at ringside

"The Pride of Providence" Peter Manfredo Jr., had little trouble with Othello, Washington's Luis Lopez Saturday night at the "Cinco de Mayo" show at the Coeur d'Alene Casino in Worley, Idaho. The former super middleweight title challenger and "Contender" series star seemed to toy with Lopez over the three rounds of the scheduled ten-rounder before the carnage was stopped with Lopez on his stool.

While it lasted, Manfredo (30-5, 15 KOs) landed whenever he threw a right hand, and had Lopez (14-13-2, 7 KOs) down in the first round and twice in the third. It was the story of the local kid attempting to move up into a class of opposition where he didn't fit. The gritty Lopez tried a body attack with a little success, but it appeared that the seasoned Manfredo was taking it as little more then a sparring session.

Local welterweight prospect Favio Medina (18-1-2, 8 KOs) also took just three rounds to dispatch David Obregon (12-4, 8 KOs) in their scheduled ten-rounder. Obregon used a tough body attack early on Medina who looked like he was feeling out the Miami, Florida native and trying to time his counter right hand. Medina figured it out in the third round landed a vicious left hook/right hand combo which had Obergon out before he hit the canvas.

Canada's Mark Woolnough survived a flash second round knockdown and came on to win a six round unanimous decision over "Contender" season one star Jonathan Reid (34-9, 19 KOs) in a match up of 168-pounders. It was a quick counter right hand which surprised Woolnough, who appeared more embarrassed then hurt. Woolnough got on track soon afterward and used his fast jab and hard body attack to cruise past the veteran Reid who proved to be a tough cookie in the closest fight of the night.

Heavyweights Villi Bloomfield and Leo Bercier, who fought each other four months ago in an entertaining four-round draw that both claimed they won, settled the score in their six round rematch. This time, Bloomfield boxed beautifully on his way to his eighth win against only three defeats. Bercier (6-6-1) seemed slow in this fight, and lacked some of the fire he has displayed in recent outings. Bloomfield on the other hand looked very quick and was able to control the action despite being the shorter fighter. Final scores were 59-55 from all three judges, as well as anyone who could see.

Heavyweight Skyler Anderson (9-1-1, 6 KOs) had no trouble with overmatched Tyrone Muex in their 6 rounder. The fight lasted one round longer then it should have, as Anderson pummeled Muex on the ropes until the referee stopped the beating.

Tough Daniel Gonzales (9-14-2, 3 KOs) got back in the win column with a good TKO victory over talented Juan Santiago (4-1, 3 KOs) in their lightweight battle. Santiago showed good skills early in the fight as he used his speed and reach to confuse the plodding Gonzales. Gonzales found Santiago's Achilles heel in round two as he began a two-fisted body attack which slowed Santiago to a crawl before Gonzales was able to put him away in round four at 1:18.

Massachusetts prospect Edwin Rodriguez opened the show with his fourth win against zero losses in his four-rounder against Michael Birthmark (1-3). The two-time amateur champion was simply in another class as he used his speed to land three-punch combinations on Brithmark like they were free enroute to the stoppage.

The show was a complete sellout, as many fans were turned away at the door. Moe Smith and his trusty side kick Mario Falciani have scored another big win for Northwest boxing fans. Their next show at the casino is July 3rd with Favio Medina and Skyler Anderson returning to action.