Sports
Contender Dad Peter Manfredo Sr. Pulls No Punches Inspiring Gaudet Students
Gaudet Middle School students on Tuesday met Peter Manfredo Sr., who studied boxing and marital arts for 30 years, then coached his son, professional boxer and reality TV contestant Peter Manfredo Jr., to a 34-6 record and an IBO Middleweight Title.
When Peter Manfredo Sr. was a boy, he was bullied relentlessly by youths in the neighborhood. His mother encouraged him to try boxing to learn how to defend himself as well as gain his self esteem back. He did both.
When his son Peter Manfredo Jr. was born in 1980, he knew his life would change forever. His son took to boxing almost immediately.
At age 7 Peter Jr. began his journey down the path of boxing. Peter Sr. trained and worked with his son for years, probably not knowing that eventually meant coaching his son to an IBO Middleweight Title and an impressive 34-6 professional record.
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The two were also on the NBC Show "The Contender" which eventually switched to ESPN. During his run on the show, Peter Manfredo Jr. was eliminated in the first match he took part in. However, due to another contender developing chicken pox and what Manfredo Jr. would call a "Bit of fate" he returned to the show to take the ill contender's place, then made it all the way to the title fight, which he lost.
It did bring more exposure for the Father-Son team and helped put Peter Jr. on track to his eventual Title shot at the IBO Middleweight crown, which he won over Angel Hernandez in May of 2010.
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On Tuesday, his father and trainer Peter Manfredo Sr. spoke to a group of 7th and 8th graders at Gaudet Middle School in Middletown. He spoke of the training needed to become a boxer. The discipline needed to remain a boxer, and the self-confidence, respect, and self-esteem that a boxer gains as he trains to become a boxer.
The youths that Peter Sr. spoke to had recently read the book "The Contender" by Robert Lipsyte. In the book the main character's life mirrors many of the struggles that Peter Sr. himself went through and it was through a phone call from Gaudet's grade 7 teacher Meghan Dutton that eventually brought Manfredo Sr. to speak to the youths at Gaudet.
Manfredo Sr. started off by talking about his entry into first martial arts, and then boxing. A former professional boxer and martial arts athlete himself, he was able to tell the kids how hard it really is to maintain the discipline necessary to become a professional boxer.
The kids, who were extremely quiet at first, were then asked by Miss Dutton if they had any questions for Mr. Manfredo. They looked at each other, perhaps afraid to go first. They eventually warmed up, and then lit up when it was time for Manfredo Sr. to bring out the gloves and training gear he had brought with him.
The students were even more reluctant to step up and lace up the gloves for Manfredo to teach the kids how to land a few different punches.
District Outreach Coordinator Carmella Geer broke the ice by lacing up herself, and one by one the kids went up. Reluctant at first, by the end, they all wanted a turn.
It was a rewarding day for the kids. They heard stories from a legend, who has coached a legend, and leaves a legacy behind that the kids will be the first to admit, is impressive to say the least.
See more highlights from this inspiring session in the image gallery above.
