At the age of just 33, Manfredo has seemingly become disillusioned with the sport that thrust him into the limelight in 2004 when the up and coming fighter was chosen, along with Sergio Mora and Alfredo Gomez, to star in the show that would turn him into a household name around the world.
Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone’s ‘The Contender’ project made instant stars of Manfredo, Gomez, Mora, and Jessie Brinkley, amongst others as they battled it out in a reality TV fight tournament that captivated the public.
After losing out in the first round to Gomez, Manfredo was drafted back when the late and tragic Jeff Fraza was ruled out of the show on medical grounds. ‘The Pride of Providence’ would eventually make the show’s finale against Mora, but ultimately lost out over seven rounds to ‘The Latin Snake’ – although his fanbase was already secure.
Manfredo’s popularity led to a WBO super-middleweight title shot against Welsh great and recent Hall of Famer Joe Calzaghe which ended up in a predictable defeat for the fighter who is predominantly a 160lber.
Another failed attempt at a world title followed against ‘The Contender 3’ winner Sakio Bika, again at the higher limit, until the Italian-American finally landed his dream by claiming the IBO belt against Angel Hernandez in 2010 at his favoured weight of 160.
Since then, Manfredo has only lost to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in his bid to add the coveted WBC strap to his career haul, but has made the choice to hang up his gloves for good on the back of three straight victories. The Chavez loss initially prompted a semi-retirement which lasted a year, before a trio of headline events at his home of the Twin River Event Center in Rhode Island that in the end haven’t been enough to convince Manfredo that he has a future in boxing.
A lack of big-money purses, coupled with his willingness to find work with benefits means Manfredo is happier when holding down a full-time job and putting bread on the table each and every week, rather than sporadically.
For the latter part of his career Manfredo was working long shifts whilst fitting his training around his hectic work life and something had to give which unfortunately for his army of supporters was trading blows professionally.
Something which Peter has no regrets about.
“I’m finished,” Manfredo told World Boxing News.
“I had a great career that spanned 13 years, 47 fights and 40 wins, but this is a young man’s game now. I work all day and then after work I’m with my family. I had my time and now it’s time for my wife and kids.
“I’m not sure if there is a happy ending in boxing and if there is I’d like to see it, but there’s no real retirement as there is no pension and no healthcare. Whatever you make you spend and to ‘live within your means’ doesn’t mean much to a boxer. We are only as good as our last fight and we only have a short window of opportunity in this sport.”
On the possibility of taking up coaching like his father Peter Sr, Manfredo added: “I don’t see myself staying in boxing. At least at this point in my life as I’m not a good teacher. Plus I don’t like the life. I’m a family man and I want to be home with my family after working all day.”
WBN would like to publicly wish Peter well in all his endeavours and in whatever he chooses to do in the future.
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