Manfredo hammers Benfield!

March 15, 2008

By "Irish" Patrick Kelley /Photos: Emily Harney

Jimmy Burchrield's Classic Entertainment and Sports put on another exciting night of professional boxing Friday night at the Twin River Events Center, in Lincoln, Rhode Island. The "Rumble at the River" event drew a packed house, resulting in standing room only seats being needed to accommodate the throng of boxing fans in attendance! The eight-bout event, featuring hometown heroes Peter Manfredo Jr, and Jamie Clampitt, was filled with action throughout, and there was not a fan in the place...with a seat or standing...that did not leave the venue content that they got their fill of boxing excitement!

Manfredo Beats Down Benfield!

Super middleweight contender Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo, Jr. (29-5, 14 KOs) scored a sixth round TKO victory over South Carolina's Shane "The Irish Hitman" Benfield (17-2, 9 KOs) in the main event of the "Rumble at the River," at the Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island. The Contender: Season One star, Manfredo dished out a non-stop barrage of punches throughout the bout, before his devastating body attack finally took its toll on Benfield in the sixth stanza.

The toe-to-toe affair brought the SRO crowd to their feet on several occasions, as their hometown hero, Manfredo put forth an impressive, full throttle attack for virtually every moment of the affair. Benfield, to his credit, managed to not only withstand Manfredo's barrage of punches, but fired back all the while! Benfield landed some very ill-willed punches himself, snapping back the head of Manfredo on several occasions, but the rock-solid chin of "The Pride of Providence" was not only never affected, but only appeared to make the situation worse for Benfield. Like poking a bear, each time Benfield landed against Manfredo, it only seemed to irritate him further, and the repercussions became worse for Benfield each time.

Ultimately, it was Manfredo's devastating body attack, which he consistently forced upon Benfield throughout the bout, that finally paid dividends for Manfredo Jr. While Benfield, though simply outmatched by Manfredo, was more than game throughout the exciting affair, Manfredo's body punching simply proved to be too much for Benfield. A final Manfredo onslaught, in the sixth, coupling body and head punches alike, forced the referee to jump in between the two, and save Benfield from enduring any further punishment. The time of the stoppage was 2:30 of the sixth stanza.

Clampitt Retains Crown

Jamie "The Hurricane" Clampitt (19-4-1, 7 KO's) retained her IWBF crown with a majority decision victory over New York's Belinda Laracuente (23-22-3, 9 KO's). The all ten round affair consisted of back and forth action throughout, ultimately resulting in a close, decision victory for the hometown hero, Clampitt. Judges at ringside scored the bout 97-93, 97-93, and 95-95.

Laracuente definitely had her moments in the bout, landing some tremendous combinations against the durable Clampitt, however "The Hurricane" dished out her own storm, as well. Clampitt simply managed to be a little busier, land more combinations, and more clean and effective punches, thus resulting in her leaving with the IWBF belt still secured around her waist. In her last three bouts alone, Clampitt has defeated the likes of Laracuente, Jane Couch, and Mia St. John.

Spina Decisions Mayes

Providence, Rhode Island light heavyweight Joey Spina improved his professional record (21-1-1, 15 KO's) with a hard fought six round unanimous decision over Baltimore, Maryland's Henry Mayes (4-3, 3 KO's). The victory for Spina represented his second consecutive win since suffering his only professional loss to Peter Manfredo Jr, in October, 2006. Judges at ringside scored the bout 59-55, 58-56, and 58-56.

Pereira TKO's Fernandes

Pawtucket, Rhode Island's Diego Pereira (1-0, 1 KO) got his professional career going in impressive fashion, earning a third round TKO victory over twelve-fight veteran Felix Fernandes (4-8, 2 KO's). The two junior welterweight exchanged ferocious punches throughout, but Pereira's cleaner, and harder punches were ultimately too much for Fernandes, who was unable to answer the bell to commence the fourth round. The official time of the stoppage was TKO 3:00 of the third.

McCreedy Stops Albino

Lowell, Massachusetts light heavyweight, Joseph McCreedy (7-1, 5 KO's) scored a fourth round knockout victory over Philadelphia's Zeferino Albino. McCreedy utilized a perfect left hook to the head, followed by another to the body of Albino (3-5-1, 1 KO) much like the vicious combo that fellow Lowell native, Micky Ward used to utilize in crippling his opponents. The win, for McCreedy, is his second consecutive victory since fighting under the CES banner.

Flamos Avenges Loss To McInerney

Brockton, Massachusetts cruiserweight Tim Flamos (20-4-1, 8 KO's) scored a tremendous third round knockout victory over fellow Massachusetts native Chris McInerney (9-2, 6 KO's). It was sweet revenge for Flamos who suffered a sixth round knockout defeat to McInerney this past December. The knockout victory, for the veteran Flamos, came at 2:13 seconds of the third round.

Nevsky Decisions Pinarreta

Undefeated middleweight prospect Andre Nevsky (4-0, 3 KO's) was forced to the final bell for the first time in his professional career, while earning a unanimous decision victory win over fellow Massachusetts resident Eric Pinarreta (2-2, 2 KO's). Nevsky intoroduced Pinarreta to the canvas in the fist stanza, and continued to outwork Pinarreta throughout the action-packed four-round affair, earning every round on all three judges scorecards. All three judges tallied the bout 40-35.

Beachuamp Blasts Cruz!

In the opening bout of the evening, undefeated Massachusetts flyweight prospect, Icender Beauchamp (4-0, 1 KO)scored a devastating first-round knockout win over Oceanside, California's Gabriel Cruz. A picture-perfect left hook from Beauchamp dropped Cruz to the canvas, just prior to the end of the first round. Cruz (2-2), who has suffered both of his professional defeats at the hands of Beauchamp, tried valiantly to get back to his feet, only to fall face first back down to the canvas. The official time of the knockout was 3:00 of the first round.