Exclusive Interview With Peter Manfredo Junior – “I Really Do Hope My Fight With Matt Vanda Is A Great Fight”

by James Slater – 29-year-old former “Contender” star Peter Manfredo Junior takes one more step in his quest to become middleweight world champion on January 29th, as “The Pride of Providence” faces the tough Matt Vanda in an NABF middleweight title bout.

Currently 33-6(18) and 2-0(2) since his loss to the much bigger Sakio Bika, Manfredo is taking his time as he works his way towards his world title shot at a much-more-comfortable-for-him weight of 160-pounds. “The Predator,” 42-9(22) has won his last three outings and he has only been stopped once as a pro..

With a good number of fight people expecting a real battle on Jan. 29th in Connecticut, Manfredo is working extremely hard in the gym so as to come out on top in the potential war.

Very kindly taking some time out to give me the following interview on the upcoming fight, the always friendly warrior gave the following answers to my questions:

James Slater: It’s a pleasure to be able to speak with you again, Peter. The last time we talked, you said you hoped to be fighting again as soon as January, and this is exactly what’s happened. You must be happy to have got the fight with Matt Vanda?

Peter Manfredo Junior: How you doing, James? And how was you Christmas?

J.S: Oh, great thanks. And happy New Year to you, too! I hope you have a great year, in and out of the ring.

P.M: Thanks a lot. Yeah, the Matt Vanda fight – I’m very happy and I’m very excited about this fight. He’s a quality fighter, and he’s been in with a lot of good guys, a lot of guys I’d like to fight one day; Chavez Junior and John Duddy. This fight is definitely a good step for me. It’s my first fight at 160-pounds in five years, so it will be interesting to see how I look, but I’ve been training hard and I feel really good.

J.S: Is Vanda an ideal opponent for you right now? I mean, he’s a pretty big name, and he comes to fight, but at the same time, no disrespect, he is a fighter you should beat.

P.M: Yeah, of course. His style is almost perfect for my style – the old saying goes, styles make fights. And my style beats his style all day long. But at the same time, I know I have to be in great shape, which I will be; I know he’s a tough guy. A stoppage win for me would be a big statement.

J.S: TKO Promotions, who got you this fight, are delivering for you – they must be good to work with?

P.M: They’re great. We work real well together and they are getting me what I want – I want to stay busy.

J.S: Is the NABF middleweight title on the line in this fight?

P.M: Yes, the NABF title’s up for grabs, and that’s a bonus. I wasn’t really looking at fighting for any title quite yet, but they called me up and offered me the fight and I said, yeah, why not?

J.S: A win will give a big boost to your world ranking too?

P.M: Yeah, a win should put me in the top-ten. I’d still like a couple more fights, maybe one or two more, before I go for a shot at a world title. I don’t want to rush. I want to make sure that when I do go for the title I’ll be the best I can be. I want to win it when I fight for it.

J.S: Most people think Vanda won the first fight he had with Chavez Junior. Is that the Vanda you are looking at facing – the best possible Matt Vanda? I know he lost a couple after that fight.

P.M: You always have to make sure you are at your best for each fight, because of how they could be at their best. Vanda’s won his last three, and he just beat a guy who was 11-1, so he’ll have a lot of confidence. I am looking at fighting the best Matt Vanda, yes. But like I say, the best Peter Manfredo beats the best Matt Vanda all day long.

J.S: I spoke with Larry Army (Peter’s manager-agent) this week, and he said, without being guilty of merely hyping the fight, the Jan. 29th fight could be a fight of the year candidate. I know you’ve always wanted to be in a Gatti-Ward type war. Could this be it?

P.M: I hope so, I really do. All fighters dream of being in an epic fight like that. And maybe this could be the guy who gives me that type of fight, we’ll see. People like to see great fights like that and I want to give the people what they want and also come out on top. All my friends and the people I talk to, they all know who Gatti and Ward are, because of their epic fights. They didn’t care that neither fight was for a world title and that both guys had lost a few times – it was just a great, great fight. And as much as I want to become world champion, I also want to be recognised like that.

J.S: I hope I get to see you and Vanda fight. Do you know about the TV coverage, where it will be shown?

P.M: I’m not too sure. I know it won’t be on ESPN, because Jesse Brinkley is fighting in Reno that same night. I think the fight will be shown in Europe and overseas in like a hundred countries. I’m not too sure of the network’s name who are showing the fight.

J.S: Can I ask you who you’ve been sparring with for Vanda?

P.M: I’ve been sparring with Edwin Rodriguez (unbeaten middleweight prospect), Jesse Brinkley and a couple of amateur guys who are real busy. I’ve had great work for this fight. I’m not done [training] yet, I have another two hard weeks ahead of me.

J.S: As you said, this will be your first fight down at middleweight for five years. Are there any concerns about making 160? Do you think you’ll have any problems?

P.M: I don’t know yet. I’m not there yet, but I have another three weeks or so to get down. I was at 168 this past week, and I still have three weeks to lose that eight pounds. But, no, I don’t think I’ll have any trouble. I look and feel great right now.

J.S: I know you don’t want to rush into a world title fight, but if you had your chance, which of the current belt holders would you like to fight if they’re still there when you’re ready? Kelly Pavlik, Felix Sturm or Sebastian Sylvester?

P.M: Put it this way, if any one of those guys called me, I’d be there in a second! That’s me, I’m a fighter. But I want to wait my turn, I don’t want people to think I’m dodging any of them. You missed out Anthony Mundine, the guy from Australia, he’d be a great fight too. Basically, either guy, it doesn’t matter. Any one of those guys calls and I’d be there straight away.

J.S: Back to the Vanda fight. A KO would be a big statement, as you said. Do you think you’ll get one?

P.M: I want the win, but I want the KO too. I want to impress and look good. I’m confident I can do it, but I’m not going to predict any round. Saying that, I think I can get it inside seven rounds.

J.S: Ideally, if all goes well, how soon would you like to fight again this year?

P.M: If everything goes alright, March or April. Just like this time, I’d like to get right back. That’s in a perfect world of course. But I love to fight, and I like fighting as often as I can.

J.S: Well, it’s been great speaking with you, Peter. All the best for the fight. You’re on a roll right now, you’ve won your last three now is it?

P.M: Last two, but it will be three! Thanks for the call, James