Cornflake LaManna looks sharp in local media workout

Story by John DiSanto – PhillyBoxingHistory.com
Photos: Darryl Cobb Jr. – dcobbjr.com

Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna, 21-1, 9 KOs, held an open workout for the media today at the Joe Hand Boxing Gym in Philadelphia. LaManna meets Dusty Hernandez Harrison, 29-0-1, 16 KOs, in the main event of an eight-bout card at South Philly’s 2300 Arena on Thursday night. Their bout, and three others, will also be nationally televised by CBS Sports Network.

Although Thursday’s 10-round bout for the vacant USBA welterweight title will be the first time the two have officially faced off, LaManna and Harrison sparred together about three years ago in Washington, DC.

That experience in the gym, with headgear and big gloves, has given LaManna some insight on his opponent, and he says he knows what not to do against Harrison when they meet on Thursday.

“Don’t give him confidence, and don’t let him get into a groove,” LaManna said. “I can’t let him get into a groove. I don’t like comparing sparing to real fights, but one thing I remember in the sparring was that if you give him a groove, he’s a little hard to handle.”

LaManna will try to establish the momentum at the opening bell, but knows he has time to get things under control.

“I have ten rounds to work,” LaManna said. “(I have to) just make adjustments. He’s gone ten rounds a couple of times. I’ve gone eight, I don’t know how many times. Maybe it will be easier said than done, but I always say that the last two rounds is a mental thing. I guess we’ll find out Thursday. I’m in great shape to go ten, twelve, good-paced rounds. I’m not worried about anything.”

LaManna is riding a five bout winning streak. Harrison is undefeated, but settled for a draw in his last bout, the only smudge on his 30-bout record. However, LaManna is looking to issue Harrison his first-ever loss.

“The game plan is just to win,” LaManna said. “I’m not going in there saying I’m going to knock his head off. I have to just make the proper adjustments whenever I need to… and win.”

LaManna completed a light workout today and said that most of his preparation for the fight was finished.

“I have the media workout today, another shakeout workout tomorrow,” LaManna said. “I have two more days of running. Light pace, slow pace, just to get a good sweat. My conditioning is there already. Now it’s just relaxing and maintaining everything. I feel great, man.”

To read more about the Philly fight scene – past and present – visit www.phillyboxinghistory.com.

A full interview with Thomas LaManna will run Tuesday.