fightnews.com
Burton KOs Manfredy!
July 29, 2003
By Bernie Bahrmasel
Photos: John Booz
Big time boxing returned to Northwest Indiana on Tuesday as ESPN2 brought their Tuesday Night Summer Fight Series to the Hammond Civic Center before a near capacity house.
Headlining the card was the return home of native son Angel Manfredy of nearby Hobart, IN in a 10 round lightweight bout against Benton Harbor, Michigan's own Courtney Burton. This projected crowd favorite match lived up to its billing as local fight fans were on the feet during its course screaming for their fighter.
Neither warrior was intent on using the first round to warm-up as both took turns slugging at close range with Manfredy seemingly shaking the taller, stronger Burton who was making his first nationally televised appearance.
Over the next three rounds, Burton was able to get through Manfredy's patented defense and hurt Angel. Manfredy, known for his defense and counterpunching seemed to be a split second off with his timing as the quicker Burton was able to control the pace.
The fifth round had both fighters throwing bombs as they sought to impose their will against each other with both men trying to end the fight with one punch. This was an even round that had both men absorbing boundless amounts of punishment.
In the sixth round, Manfredy's heavy experience started to show as he punished Burton with multiple body shots to the rib cage and stomach slowing down the younger prospect. This continued into the seventh, a round which seemed to be going Angel's way. Towards the end of the round, Burton's headhunting paid off as he dropped Manfredy with a left hook. Angel was able to rise by the count of eight as the bell rang to stop the round.
Manfredy was able hold off Burton's attempt to end the fight at the start of the eighth round and seemed to be hurting Burton as the round approached the two minute mark. Just as in the seventh, Burton scored again with a left hook, dropping the IBF # 3 ranked Manfredy in the neutral corner. Manfredy was counted out at 2:59 of the round. Burton raises his record to 19-1 (10), Manfredy moves to 42-7-1 (31). At the time of the stoppage the official judges scorecards were 67-65 and 68-64 for Burton and 66-66. Fightnews had the bout scored 68-65 for Burton going into the eighth round.
For Burton, who has often talked about fighting fellow Michigan native and current lightweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., the opportunity for bigger fights appears on the horizon. Manfredy had only been dropped twice before in his previous 49 bouts showed his heart and was roundly applauded by passionate fans as he left the ring, many of whom have great memories of career. |
