ATLANTIC CITY, NJ-It was a bittersweet night for welterweight contender Thomas LaMaanna as he won a 10-round unanimous decision over George Sosa in an entertaining bout in front of a capacity crowd at The Claridge Hotel In Atlantic City.

LaManna won the WBC Silver Latino Welterweight title and shortly after, the fighter known as “Cornflake” promptly announced his retirement in the ring.

In round two, Sosa started to swell under his left eye. In round six, He started bleeding badly from his nose as the result of pinpoint shots from LaManna.

In round six, LaManna was dominant by scoring two knockdowns from body shots. LaManna was relentless in battering Sosa all over the ring. Both guys traded hard shots down the stretch with LaManna getting the better of the action, while taking a solid right hand from time to time.

LaManna, 147 lbs of Millville, NJ won by scores of 98-90 twice and 99-88 to raise his record to 24-2. Sosa of Reading, PA falls to 15-10.

“The body work, the distance and the jab was working for me. He was long and tall so we worked on the distance and I started to put my punches together. The body work is what put him down,”said LaManna. “I took some shots from him, but that is not what I go in wanting to do. I wore him down, worked the body, touched his arms and touched his body.”

“It feels so great to win a champiosnhip and to get that hardware.”

Then LaManna announced that this would be his last fight.

“It’s Over. It’s Over. I put a lot of years into this. This is it. I want to thank my parents, Vinny Ponte my promoter, my trainer and everybody who have helped me along the way.

Former world champion Imamu Mayfield and Lamont Capers slugged it out to an eight-round split draw.

In round six, Mayfield was cut over his left eye from a punch, and Capers had bad swelling over his left eye from a headbutt.3rd card read even at 76-76.

Mayfield, 200 lbs of Freehold, NJ is now 26-10-3. Capers, 196 lbs of Hawley, PA is 7-10-3.

Each guy won a card 77075, while a

Yurik Mamedov won a six-round unanimous decision over Ariel Vasquez in a welterweight bout.

Mamedov, 145.5 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 60-54 on all cards, and is now 7-0. Vasquez, 145.3 lbs of Managua, NIC is 12-19-2.vill
Emmanuel Rodriguez won a four round unanimous decision over pro debuting Willie Anderson.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Rodriguez, 119 lbs of Newark, NJ, and he is now 2-0. Anderson, 122 lbs of Paulsboro, NJ is 0-1.

Anderson is the son of former Los Angeles Rams Wide Receiver Willie “Flipper” Anderson.

Frederick Julan stopped Tahlik Taylor in the 6th and final round of their light heavyweight bout.

Julan landed a hard left that sent Taylor staggering back into the ropes, and the bout was stopped at 1:15.

Julan, 173 lbs of Brooklyn is now 6-0 with three stoppages. Taylor, 177 lbs of Freeport, NY is 2-8.

Alvin Vermall, Jr. stopped LeMarcus Tucker in round two of their scheduled six-round cruiserweight bout.

Vermall was dominant as he landed power shots from the early stages in round one. In round two, he landed three vicious shots that sent Tucker into a defenseless state, and the bout was stopped at 2:18.

Vermall, Jr., 192 lbs of Catskills, NY is now 13-0-1 with 11 knockouts. Tucker is 4-3-1.

Tomas Romain win a four round majority decision over pro debuting Marcos Lugo in a lightweight bout.

Romain, 131.7 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38 and is now 4-1. Lugo, 131.6 lbs of Vineland, NJ is 0-1.

Nahir Albright flattened Ronald Logan in 77 seconds of their scheduled four-round junior welterweight bout.

Albright landed a perfect right that sent Logan down for several minutes.

Albright, 139.1 lbs of Philadelphia is 2-1 with one knockout. Logan, 140 lbs of New York, NY is 0-2.

Vidal Rivera won a four-round unanimous decision over Weusi Johnson in a featherweight bout.

Despite being cut over his left eye in round two, Rivera was able to sweep all cards to the tune of 40-36.

Rivera, 128.6 lbs of Camden, NJ is now 7-0. Johnson, 130.3 lbs of Wilmington, DE is 2-5.

Anthony Young won a six-round unanimous decision over Carlos Winston Velasquez in a welterweight bout.

Young, 144 1/2 lbs of Pleasantville, NJ won by scores of 60-54 on all cards, and is now 18-2. Velasquez, 145 1/2 lbs of Managua, NIC is 25-30-2.

Joshafat Ortiz won a four-round unanimous decision over Sidell Blocker in a lightweight bout.

Ortiz, 129 lbs of Reading, Pa won on two cards 40-36 and 39-37 and is now 2-0. Blocker, 128 lbs of Pleasantville, NJ is 1-9-1,

Atlantic City, NJ (August 19, 2017)– Former world cruiserweight world champion Imamau Mayfield makes the 3rd comeback fight TONIGHT when he takes on Lamont Capers in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

The show is promoted by Rising Promotions.

In the main event, Thomas LaManna (23-2, 9 KOs) battles George Sosa in a 10-round bout for the WBC Silver Latino Championship.

Mayfield of Freehold, New Jersey is making his third start in 18 months following an eight-year hiatus.

After a lackluster initial comeback back where dropped a decision to Dan Pasciolla, Mayfield then took Anthony Caputo Smith in six-rounds on November 12th. The now 45-year old Mayfield feels he will build on the Caputo Smith performance.

“My training has gone well. I am still making good strides, and I feel good about everything and where I am at. I am very happy with my Progress,”said Mayfield.

Mayfield feels that with a solid outing against the upset-minded Capers, he will be ready for a significant step up on a fast-track to a world title opportunity.

“I am looking to fight top-10 guys. I am not looking to fight anyone else. I want to get rated and fight the the title and the fastest way to do that is fight top-ten opponents.”

“I just have to keep winning. I am seeing that I am a legitimate contender. I am 45 years-old, and I need to fight for the title next year.”

“I am grateful for my team, and Rising Promotions as well as everyone who believes and supports me.”

In six-round Bouts:

Anthony “Juice” Young (17-2, 6 KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ battles Carlos Winston Velasquez (25-29-2, 14 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua in a welterweight bout.

Yurik Mamedov (6-0, 3 KOs) of Brooklyn. NY takes on Ariel Vasquez (12-18-2, 9 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua in a welterweight bout.

Frederick Julan (5-0, 2 Kos) of Brooklyn, NY battles Tahlik Taylor 2-7, (1KO) of Freeport, NY in a light heavyweight battle.

Alvin Vermall, Jr. (11-0-1, 10 KOs) of Catskills, NY will take on Lemarcus Tucker (4-2-1, 2 KOs) of Forrest City, AR in a cruiserweight affair.

In four-round bouts:

Joshafat Ortiz (1-0of Reading, PA will take on Sidell Blocker (1-8-1) of Pleasantville, NJ in a lightweight fight.

Ronald Logan (0-1) of New York, NY takes on Nahir Albright (1-1) of Philadelphia in a battle of lightweights .

Emmanuel Rodriguez (1-0) of Newark, NJ will take on pro debuting Willie Anderson of Paulsboro, NJ in a bantamweight bout.

Marcos Lugo of Vineland, NJ will make his pro debut against Tomas Romain (3-1) of Brooklyn, NY in a lightweight scrap.

Vidal Rivera (6-0, 4 KOs) of Camden, NJ will fight Weusi Johnson (2-4) of Wilmington, DE in a featherweight bout.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are priced at $150, $125, $100, $80 and $55 and can be purchased at www.rspboxing.com

Atlantic City, NJ (August 16, 2017)–This Saturday night, Thomas LaManna will take on George Sosa in a ten-round bout for the WBC Silver Latino Welterweight bout that will headline a big 11 bout card at what is expected to be a sold out Calridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

The show, promoted by Rising Promotions, is the 9th card that will be staged before a capacity crowd.

Both main event fighters recently gave their final comments before Saturday’s showdown.

” I’m just ready to fight and I hope he is too. I encourage people to come to this action packed, stacked event. 12 bouts featuring some of the hottest prospects and a title fight,” said LaManna.

“I think LaManna is a boxer who has not fought anyone of my caliber yet, and unlike me, I have fought everyone,” said Sosa. LaManna has been protected during his whole career, Do I think he will be easy? No. There is no such thing as an easy fight. He is his Mommy and Daddy;s baby. When he fought somebody with caliber, he lost.”

Despite his 15-9 record, Sosa knows a win can change his whole career.

“This fight is for the WBC Silver title, and would definitely change my career. Before I would just take fights because I needed the money to take care of my family in Cuba. I was too busy partying, and not taking matters seriously. Like my last fight with Anthony Young, I arrived three days before the weigh-in, and I was 21 pounds over the weight. Not only did I make the weight, but I went the distance with a formidable opponent. Not this timeI went directly to Cuba to begin training.”

In the eight-round feature, former cruiserweight world champion, Imamu Mayfield (26-10-2, 19 KOs) of Freehold, New Jersey battles Lamont Capers (7-10-2) of Hawley, Pennsylvania.

In six-round bouts:

Anthony “Juice” Young (17-2, 6 KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ battles Carlos Winston Velasquez (25-29-2, 14 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua in a welterweight bout.

Yurik Mamedov (6-0, 3 KOs) of Brooklyn. NY takes on Ariel Vasquez (12-18-2, 9 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua in a welterweight bout.

Frederick Julan (5-0, 2 Kos) of Brooklyn, NY battles Tahlik Taylor 2-7, (1KO) of Freeport, NY in a light heavyweight battle.

Alvin Vermall, Jr. (11-0-1, 10 KOs) of Catskills, NY will take on Tracy Johnson (4-5-4) of Boston, MA in a cruiserweight affair.

In four-round bouts:

Joshafat Ortiz (1-0of Reading, PA will take on Sidell Blocker (1-8-1) of Pleasantville, NJ in a lightweight fight.

Ronald Logan (0-1) of New York, NY takes on Nahir Albright (1-1) of Philadelphia in a battle of lightweights .

Emmanuel Rodriguez (1-0) of Newark, NJ will take on pro debuting Willie Anderson of Paulsboro, NJ in a bantamweight bout.

Marcos Lugo of Vineland, NJ will make his pro debut against Tomas Romain (3-1) of Brooklyn, NY in a lightweight scrap.

Vidal Rivera (6-0, 4 KOs) of Camden, NJ will fight Weusi Johnson (2-4) of Wilmington, DE in a featherweight bout.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are priced at $150, $125, $100, $80 and $55 and can be purchased at www.rspboxing.com

Atlantic City, NJ (July 27, 2017)–On Saturday night, August 19th, it will be wall to wall boxing action as 11 big fights will make up a tremendous night of boxing at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

The card, which is promoted Rising Promotions will feature a title bout, a former world champion, and some of the brightest prospects in well matched bouts. The show is just another in the line of terrific cards by Rising Promotions. The show will feature an unheard of 11 big fights, which are strategically matched for the fans, who will get their full monies worth of action.

In the main event, local favorite, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (23-2, 9 KOs) of Millville, NJ will take on knockout artist, George Sosa (15-9, 15 KOs) of Reading, PA in a ten-round battle for the WBC Silver Latino Welterweight title.

The winner of the fight will garner a top-20 world ranking by the WBC.

In the eight-round feature, former cruiserweight world champion, Imamu Mayfield (26-10-2, 19 Kos) of Freehold, New Jersey battles Lamont Capers (7-10-2) of Hawley, Pennsylvania.

In six-round bouts:

Anthony “Juice” Young (17-2, 6 KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ battles Carlos Winston Velasquez (25-29-2, 14 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua in a welterweight bput.

Yurik Mamedov (6-0, 3 KOs) of Brooklyn. NY takes on Ariel Vasquez (12-18-2, 9 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua in a welterweight bout.

Frederick Julan (5-0, 2 Kos) of Brooklyn, NY battles Brian Macy (5-2, 2 KOs) of New Haven, CT in a light heavyweight battle.

Alvin Vermall, Jr. (11-0-1, 10 KOs) of Catskills, NY will take on Tracy Johnson (4-5-4) of Boston, MA in a cruiserweight affair.

In four-round bouts:

Joshafat Ortiz (1-0of Reading, PA will take on Sidell Blocker (1-8-1) of Pleasantville, NJ in a lightweight fight.

Pro debuting Biheem Billups takes on Nahir Albright (1-1) in a battle of Philadelphia based lightweights.

Emmanuel Rodriguez (1-0) of Newark, NJ will take on pro debuting Willie Anderson of Paulsboro, NJ in a bantamweight bout.

Marcos Lugo of Vineland, NJ will make his pro debut against Tomas Romain (3-1) of Brooklyn, NY in a lightweight scrap.

Malik Jackson (2-0, 2 KOs) of Washington, DC will fight an opponent to be named in a super bantamweight bout.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are priced at $150, $125, $100, $80 and $55 and can be purchased at www.rspboxing.com

Atlantic City, NJ (July 14, 2017)–Welterweight contender, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will take on George Sosa for the WBC Silver Latino Welterweight championship in the ten-round main event that will headline a great night of championship boxing on Saturday, August 19th at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

The show is expected to be the 9th sold-out show at the Claridge promoted by Rising Promotions.

“Rising Promotions is looking forward to ending the Summer with another great show here at the Claridge. We have a good line up on the card so we are hoping for a packed house, and we are looking forward to staging our first championship bout,” said Debbie LaManna of Rising Promotions.

The championship bout is the first major sanctioning body championship bout in Atlantic City in almost three years. (Kovalev vs Hopkins, November 8, 2014).

LaManna will be looking to win his first belt in the welterweight division. A win will propel him into the rankings as he looks for a high profile bout later this year.

The 25 year-old LaManna has a record of 23-2 with nine knockouts, and he is currently riding a two fight win streak, and is undefeated in 2017.

The six-year professional is 4-1 as a Welterweight and has credible wins over Kendal Mena, and Ayi Bruce as well as his last two victories, which have come over Eduardo Flores and Carlos Winston Velasquez, who stepped into the ring with 52 and 54 fights under their belt.

LaManna dropped a ten-round unanimous decision to undefeated Dusty Hernandez-Harrison (30-0-1 16 KO’s) on September 15th, 2016 in a very high intense battle that was contested for the USBA Title. The LaManna/Harrison fight is a candidate for Fight of the Year for local Philadelphia boxing award “Briscoe Award”

This will be LaManna’s 6th fight at The Claridge, and his 16th fight in Atlantic City.

“This is a great blessing for me. I get another shot at a meaningful title that will place me in the right spots with a victory. I have seen Sosa fight on our last card and he is very game, durable and strong so I cannot take him lightly. Training camp is intense, we know what we are gunning for so come August 19th, it’s going to be dark places for George Sosa,” Said Thomas LaManna.

Sosa of Philadelphia, PA has a record of 15-9 with all victories coming by way of knockout.

The 30 year-old Sosa is a high energy fighter, who has fought the likes of Emmanuel Taylor, Sammy Vasquez, Wilkens Santiago, Javontae Starks, Terrell Gausha and Ray Robinson.

Like LaManna, Sosa is a six-year professional, and is coming off a grueling eight-round unanimous decision defeat to Anthony Young on June 10th at The Claridge.

In the eight-round co-feature, former world cruiserweight champion, Imamu Mayfield will take on upset minded Lamont Capers.

Mayfield of Freehold, New Jersey has a record of 26-10-2 with 19 knockouts. At a young 45 years-old, Mayfield is making the 3rd start since taking an eight-year hiatus from the sport.

In 1997, Mayfield captured the IBF Cruiserweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Uriah Grant. He made one defense of the crown with an 11th round stoppage over previously undefeated Terry Dunston (17-0).

Over his 23 year-career, Mayfield has racked up wins over Rayco Saunders (Twice), Okello Peter (11-2), Gary Wilcox (15-2-1), Ernest Mateen (23-5-1), Ismael Gneco (3-0) & Lew Chester (1-0).

Mayfield is coming off a sixth-round stoppage over Anthony Caputo Smith on November 12, 2016 at The Claridge.

Capers of Hawley, PA has a deceiving record of 7-10-2.

The 26 year-old is a five-year pro, and already has produced upset victories over Nick Kisner (16-2-1), Josh Himes (3-0), Dave Valykeo (4-0) & Earl Platt (4-1). Capers also has a draw with previously unblemished Alvin Vermall, Jr. (6-0).

Capers is coming off a four-round unanimous decsion defeat to Garrett Wilson on June 9th in Tannersville, PA.

In six-round bouts:

Anthony “Juice” Young (17-2, 6 KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ takes on Carlos Winston Velasquez (25-29-2, 14 KO’s) of Managua, Nicaragua in a welterweight bout.

Yurik Mamedov (6-0, 3 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will fight Taiwo Ali Sulaimon (21-5-1, 16 KO’s) of Lagos, Nigeria in a welterweight fight.

Frederick Julan (5-0, 2 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will take on an opponent to be announced in a light heavyweight bout.

Alvin Vermall, Jr. (11-0-1, 9 KO’s) will see action in a cruiserweight bout against an opponent to be named.

In four-round bouts:

Joshafat Ortiz (1-0) of Reading, PA will square off with Sidell Blocker (1-8-1) of Pleasantville, NJ in a lightweight fight.

Emmanuel Rodriguez (1-0) of Newark, NJ will take on an opponent to be named in a bantamweight affair.

Tomas Romain (3-1) of Brooklyn, NY will take on pro debuting Marcos Lugo of Vineland, NJ in a lightweight bout.

Malik Jackson (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Washington, DC will take on Edward Kakembo (10-2, 3 KO’s) of Lugogo, Uganda in a super bantamweight bout.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are priced at $150, $125, $100, $80 and $55 and can be purchased at www.rspboxing.com

Freehold , NJ (Feb. 17, 2017) – Former IBF World Cruiserwight word champion Imamau Mayfield has thrown his hat in the ring to face the winner of tonight’s Roy Jones, Jr. – Bobby Gunn WBF World Cruiserweight title bout that will shown LIVE on Pay-Per-View.

Mayfield of Freehold , New Jersey ended a eight-year hiatus in losing to then-undefeated heavyweight Dan Pasciolla, but came back to Knockout a game Anthony Caputo Smith in six-rounds on November 12th in Atlantic City.

Mayfield’s longtime friend/manager Vinny LaManna is adamant that that Mayfield will have the right style to beat Jones or Gunn.

“This is a fight we would love to have. Imamu is in great shape, and after his win over Caputo Smith, he has the confidence that he can beat any cruiserweight out there,” said LaManna. “Jones has beating lesser guys, and a win over either of them would catapult Imamau back into the rankings and then he can see his way back to the title. The fight would make sense as it would put two older guys together in a fight that would have meaning. I am rooting for Gunn tonight, Bobby is a gentleman. If Bobby can pull the victory off tonight, Mayfield vs Gunn would be a big draw in New Jersey because both guys live in the Garden State. The point being is simple, if Imamu can’t beat the likes of Roy Jones’s or Bobby Gunn than who can he beat?”

Atlantic City, NJ (February 26, 2016)–On Saturday night, March 19, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will headline in an 8-round Welterweight bout when he fights Kendal Mena at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City
.
The card is promoted by Rising Promotions in association with Vincent M. Ponte’s Gulf Stream Promotions.

LaManna (19-1, 7 KO’s) of nearby Millville, New Jersey will be making his second consecutive appearance at The Claridge. LaManna won a 8-round unanimous decision over Ariel Vasquez on December 5th.

LaManna used his reach and height and worked behind his jab to keep Vasquez at bay. As the fight wore on, LaManna started to dominate with body punches and cruised home to victory to the tune of 79-72 on two scorecards and 78-73.

The 24 year-old LaManna turned professional in 2011 and won his first sixteen bouts that were highlighted by wins over Ashandi Gibbs & Jamaal Davis.

“I really don’t know much about Mena, but I am preparing to the best of my ability to handle whatever it is he brings to the table. Records don’t mean anything to me, all I know is he beat twenty men and has knocked out eleven of them,”said LaManna

“Training camp has been great. In this camp my team and I have been focusing more on working on the basics. We believe I have natural talent and I’m excited to see when it all comes to place.”

Since suffering his only loss to world ranked Middleweight Antoine Douglas on ShoBox: The New Generation, LaManna has won three straight which includes a 6-round unanimous decision over rugged Ayi Bruce on September 26th in Beach Haven, New Jersey.

This will be LaManna’s second fight at Welterweight after moving down from Middleweight.

Mena of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic has a respectable mark of 20-3 with 11 knockouts.

The 28-year old Mena won his first twenty fights, which earned him a shot at the WBA International title.

He was stopped in the bout by contender Francisco Santana and he has lost to two undefeated fighters in his subsequent bouts.

In an 8-round co-feature, Tommy Rainone takes on Maurice Chalmers in a Welterweight bout.

Rainone has established himself as a fan favorite on the east coast, will be making his Atlantic City debut.

He has a record of 24-7-1 with five knockouts.

The 36 year-old of Long Island, New York won his first 11 bouts. Rainone captured the IBA Americas Title 10-round unanimous decision over Robby Cannon. He also captured the USBO Welterweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Carl McNickles.

Rainone will be looking to get back in the win column after dropping a unanimous decision to former world champion Ishe Smith on December 18.

Chalmers of Lynchburg, Virginia has a record of 14-12-1 with 8 knockouts.

Chalmers will be looking to spring the upset, much like he did when he defeated the likes of Marcus Woods (4-1), Michael Lozano (3-0), Rajiv Bhattacharya (9-0) and Tykeem Sadler (6-0).

In the 6-round co-feature, former IBF Cruiserweight champion Imamu Mayfield will be making his long awaited comeback in a Heavyweight bout against Dan Pasciolla for the Garden State Heavyweight title.

Mayfield of Perth Amboy, New Jersey will making his first appearance in just for 8-years.

Mayfield won the IBF Cruiserweight championship when he won a 12-round unanimous decision over Uriah Grant on November 8, 1997. He made one defense and was stopped by Arthur Williams on October 30, 1998.

Mayfield won the USBA Cruiserweight title with 10th round stoppage over Gary Wilcox on June 30, 2001.

Mayfield has also fought world champions Juan Carlos Gomez, Krzystof Wlodarczyk and Alexander Povetkin.

Pasciolla of Brick, New Jersey has a record of 6-1-1 and holds wins over Bill Marks (1-0), John Lennox (13-2) and Donnie Palmer (6-0-1). In his most recent bout, Pasciolla and Brendan Barrett (3-0-1) fought to a draw on February 19 in Atlantic City.

In a six-round bouts:

Lamont Capers (5-7-2) of Brooklyn, NY fights Tracy Johnson (3-2-3) of Boston, MA in a Cruiserweight bout.

In a bout for the Garden State Super Middleweight title, Isiah Seldon (7-1, 3 KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ takes on Michael Mitchell (3-6-2, 1 KO) of Paterson, NJ.

Hakim Bryant (5-0, 4 KO’s) of Asbury Park, NJ will take on an opponent to be named in a Middleweight bout.

In 4-round Bouts:

Quian Davis (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Mays Landing, NJ will fight Corey Morley (0-1-1) of Philadelphia, PA in a Heavyweight bout.

Caleb Hernandez (2-0) of Vineland, NJ will battle LeAnthony Fleming (1-1) of Lakeland, FL in a Welterweight bout.

Omar Brito (2-2) of Pleasantville, NJ will take on Bienvenido Diaz (2-1, 2 KO’s) of the Prospect Park, NJ in a Super Featherweight bout.

Alvin Vermall (7-0-1, 7 KO’s) of LaPlace, LA will fight Dequan Morgan (3-2-1, 1 KO) of Hamlet, NC in a Cruiserweight bout.

Darryl Bunting (0-0-1 ) of Asbury Park, NJ fights Jason Singletary (0-1) of Washington, DC in a Super Middleweight fight

Steven Ortiz (2-0) of Philadelphia will take part in a Lightweight bout against an opponent to be named.

Tickets are $50 GA, $75 Stage (very few remaining) & $125 VIP (SOLD OUT) (Booths of 5 available for $500—SOLD OUT) and are available at RisingBoxingPromotions.com or 609-487-4444.

The Clardige Hotel is located at 123 S. Indiana Ave. Atlantic City NJ

Facebook.com/risingstarboxing
Instagram: @risingpromo

Freehold, NJ (January 29, 2016) – Almost 19 years-ago, a 24 year-old Imamu Mayfield climbed to the top of the boxing’s mountain when he won the the IBF Cruiserweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Uriah Grant in Las Vegas.

That bout took place on a big show that was headlined by the rematch that saw Evander Holyfield defeat Michael Moorer.

Mayfied would make once defense before being stopped by Arthur Williams. Mayfield would go on to have some success by winning the USBA Cruiserweight title, but all and all he was just 7-7-2 since losing the title which includes losing his last three bouts (two to future world champions Krzysztof Wlodarczyk and Alexander Povetkin).

That was in 2008, fast forward 8-years and the now 43 year-old native of Freehold, New Jersey is planning a comeback.

“I own a gym and have been training fighters for the most part,” said the well-spoken Mayfield.

“After being away from the ring, I feel now that the time is right. I have had enough time to realize this is what I want to do. Now I am back with the people who started with me and took me to the title.”

“Those people are manager Vinny LaManna and trainer Charles Johnson.”

“Imamu and I have had great success together, when Mayfield and I got together it was from the untimely death of his longtime trainer manager Curtis Ford,”stated manger Vinny LaManna.

“Curtis did all the work, I just happened to have the relationship with then power house promoter Don King. I take no credit for any of Curtis great efforts , and it’s a shame Curtis couldn’t see all of his hard work that came together when the opportunity presented itself. I have always believed in Imamu’s skills , I truly believe he will be a force in the cruiser or heavyweight division.”

There were various times in the last 8 years that Mayfield was close to returning, but the timing just wasn’t right.

“I reached out through the years to make a comeback, but I could not make it happen. Different people inquired, but now I am back with the people who I trust and am Comfortable with.”

“I could have continued in 2008, but I wasn’t taking the right fights for the right reasons. I was being used as a steppingstone and I felt I was better than that.”

Mayfield is now fighting for different reasons.

“I am fighting for the love of boxing and want to get back to the position of being on top of the mountain.”

Towards the end of his career, Mayfield fluctuated between Cruiserweight and Heavyweight. In his time off, he has stayed in good shape and he does not see a lot of time before he is a Cruiserweight contender again.

“I am at 230 pounds now. When I fight in a couple months, I should be about 220. With each passing fight, I am going to work my way down to 200.”

While he shrinks down in weight, Mayfield sees a lot of growth in the sport that he left nearly a decade ago.

“There has been a lot of good in boxing. The sport is on the upswing. The Cruiserweight division looks competitive and I can compete with those guys. If I truly did not believe that, I would not be doing this. I still have the skills, but now I have the wisdom. My body is pretty preserved and I think I have a good shot at getting the Apple.”

“I am looking forward to getting back in there. I have always had a good fan base and a good team. Before, i would have to travel two or three hours to just train. Now I have my own gym. It isn’t only me, but my wife and family love this idea of me trying to do some great things in boxing and become world champion again.”