Paul Spadafora

Last updated
Paul Spadafora
Born
Paul Ross Spadafora

(1975-09-05) September 5, 1975 (age 49)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesThe Pittsburgh Kid
Statistics
Weight(s) Lightweight
Light welterweight
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Reach69 in (175 cm)
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights51
Wins49
Wins by KO19
Losses1
Draws1

Paul Ross Spadafora (born September 5, 1975) [1] is an American retired professional boxer. He is the former IBF lightweight champion of the world, and has challenged once for a light welterweight world title.

Contents

Personal background

Known as "The Pittsburgh Kid", Spadafora is from McKees Rocks, a borough outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His childhood was poverty-stricken: his father died of a drug overdose when he was nine, and he was homeless for several weeks as a teenager. He started boxing when he was eleven, and left school in 9th grade to focus on it. [2]

Amateur career

Spadafora had a fruitful amateur career, winning 75 of 80 bouts.[ citation needed ]

Professional career

Paul Spadafora was trained by Tom Yankello. On October 18, 1995, Spadafora made his professional debut, winning a four-round knockout of Steve Maddux. He won a total of four fights in his initial year.

In 1996, he fought eight times, winning all, six by knockout. In 1997, he fought six times, but his percentage of knockout wins dropped considerably when he only won two of those six bouts by knockout.

In 1998, he continued his winning ways throughout the year, winning all six bouts, three by knockout. One of the KO's took place on the exhibition bout card, featuring long-retired veteran Dan Maloney and Tim Witherspoon.

He began 1999 by raising his quality of opposition, facing the veteran Rocky Martinez. He won that fight by a unanimous decision, and after one more win he and Israel Cardona met in Chester for the I.B.F.'s vacant world crown on August 20. An underdog in the betting lines, Spadafora nevertheless became world champion, defeating Cardona in a 12-round decision. Then he retained the title with an 11-round knockout of Renato Cornett to finish the year.

He opened 2000 with a 12-round decision over Victoriano Sosa to retain the title, and subsequently defended his title again by split decision over Mike Griffith in round 11, and beat Billy Irwin in a 12-round decision to close the year.

By 2001, Spadafora was already a regular on the HBO Boxing television show. He retained the title with a 12-round decision over Joel Perez and won one non-title fight that year.

He began 2002 by retaining his title over Angel Manfredy with a 12-round decision. His only other bout that year was a 12-round decision win over Dennis Holbaek, also with his world title on the line.

Fight for unification

In 2003, Spadafora and WBA world champion Leonard Dorin from Romania decided to meet to try to unify their world titles. They met on May 18, but the fight was declared a draw, both boxers remaining as world champions in their respective organizations.

On June 27 of the same year, Spadafora announced he was relinquishing the IBF World Lightweight title to move to the Jr. Welterweight division because he was having trouble making weight in the Lightweight division.

Spadafora next fought on July 17, 2004, knocking out Costa Rica's Francisco Campos in ten rounds.

Troubles outside the ring

Spadafora was an alcoholic from a young age and at one point also abused drugs. [2] He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for shooting his girlfriend Nadine Russo in the chest in October 2003 after a night of drinking, and in February 2005 was sentenced to six months in a bootcamp-style rehabilitation center. [2] He had by then become engaged to Russo and she had born his second child. [2] He ultimately went to prison for the crime. [3]

In September [4] and October 2011, Spadafora was twice arrested on DUI charges. The following September he pleaded guilty. [3]

On September 23, 2012, his manager filed suit against him in Allegheny County court for breach of contract. [3]

Comeback

Despite his troubles outside the ring, Spadafora repeatedly expressed his intention to return to the ring. In November 2006 he returned after a 32-month layoff to stop Jesus Francisco Zepeda in round five at the Avalon Hotel in Erie, Pennsylvania.[ citation needed ]

On April 25, 2008, again in Erie, Spadafora returned to the ring to fight Shad Howard. Spadafora repeatedly connected with sharp jabs and combinations en route to an 80–72 unanimous decision.

In 2010 he defeated Italian boxer Ivan Fiorletta by knock out. [5] In August 2012 he defeated Humberto Toledo. [3]

One April 6, 2013, Spadafora defeated Robert Franckel for the NABF Super Lightweight Championship.

Professional boxing record

51 fights49 wins1 loss
By knockout190
By decision301
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
51Win49–1–1 Héctor Velázquez UD8Jul 11, 2014Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
50Loss48–1–1 Johan Pérez MD12Nov 30, 2013Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USFor WBA interim super lightweight title
49Win48–0–1Robert FranckelUD10Apr 6, 2013Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USWon vacant NABF super lightweight title
48Win47–0–1Solomon EgberimeUD10Dec 1, 2012Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
47Win46–0–1 Humberto Toledo UD8Aug 18, 2012Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
46Win45–0–1Alain HernandezRTD5 (10), 3:00Nov 20, 2010Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, US
45Win44–0–1Ivan FiorlettaTKO8 (10), 0:40Mar 12, 2010War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
44Win43–0–1Jermaine WhiteUD8Sep 30, 2009Heinz Field VIP Tent, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
43Win42–0–1Ivan Orlando BustosTKO6 (8), 2:26Jun 24, 2009I.C. Light Amphitheater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
42Win41–0–1Shad HowardUD8Apr 25, 2008Avalon Hotel, Erie, Pennsylvania, US
41Win40–0–1 Oisin Fagan SD10Mar 9, 2007Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, US
40Win39–0–1Frankie ZepedaTKO5 (10), 2:07Nov 22, 2006Avalon Hotel, Erie, Pennsylvania, US
39Win38–0–1Francisco CamposTKO10 (10), 1:02Jul 17, 2004Chevrolet Amphitheatre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
38Win37–0–1Rubén GalvánUD10Apr 29, 2004Hilton Garden Inn, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, US
37Draw36–0–1 Leonard Doroftei SD12May 17, 2003Petersen Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USRetained IBF lightweight title;
For WBA lightweight title
36Win36–0Dennis Holbaek PedersenUD12Nov 9, 2002Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USRetained IBF lightweight title
35Win35–0 Angel Manfredy UD12Mar 9, 2002AJ Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USRetained IBF lightweight title
34Win34–0Charles TschorniawskyUD10Aug 14, 2001Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
33Win33–0Joel PerezUD12May 8, 2001I.C. Light Amphitheater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USRetained IBF lightweight title
32Win32–0 Billy Irwin UD12Dec 16, 2000Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USRetained IBF lightweight title
31Win31–0 Rodney Jones UD10Sep 9, 2000Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
30Win30–0Mike GriffithTD10 (12), 3:00May 6, 2000Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USRetained IBF lightweight title
29Win29–0 Victoriano Sosa UD12Mar 3, 2000Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, USRetained IBF lightweight title
28Win28–0 Renato Cornett TKO11 (12), 0:52Dec 17, 1999Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USRetained IBF lightweight title
27Win27–0Israel CardonaUD12Aug 20, 1999Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USWon vacant IBF lightweight title
26Win26–0Eugene JohnsonUD8Mar 30, 1999Monzo's, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, US
25Win25–0Rocky MartinezUD10Jan 22, 1999Carmichael's, Chicago, Illinois, US
24Win24–0Dezi FordTKO10 (12)Dec 4, 1998Monzo's, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, US
23Win23–0Sam GirardUD10Oct 23, 1998Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
22Win22–0David ThomasTKO2 (8)Aug 30, 1998Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
21Win21–0Jose ApontePTS12Jun 23, 1998Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
20Win20–0Amado CabatoTKO7 (8)May 27, 1998Avalon Hotel, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, US
19Win19–0Troy FletcherUD8Mar 26, 1998Avalon Hotel, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, US
18Win18–0Roger BrownUD8Dec 11, 1997Avalon Hotel, Erie, Pennsylvania, US
17Win17–0Hector RamirezTKO2 (?)Oct 15, 1997Monzo's Palace Inn, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, US
16Win16–0Kino RodriguezUD6Sep 13, 1997Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
15Win15–0Bernard HarrisUD8Aug 13, 1997Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
14Win14–0Julio Cesar MerinoTKO5 (?)May 23, 1997Ridgeway, Pennsylvania, US
13Win13–0Joe LafontantPTS6Mar 1, 1997Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
12Win12–0Greg McLeanKO2 (6)Dec 22, 1996Struthers, Ohio, US
11Win11–0Mark AndreskeTKO5 (?)Nov 21, 1996Erie, Pennsylvania, US
10Win10–0Jeff WhaleyTKO2 (8)Sep 27, 1996Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
9Win9–0Antonio GonzalezUD4Jun 22, 1996Mark Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
8Win8–0Calvin FagginsTKO2 (4)Jun 10, 1996Washington, Pennsylvania, US
7Win7–0Erik JoshuaUD4May 7, 1996St. John's Arena, Steubenville, Ohio, US
6Win6–0Julio IbarraTKO3 (?)Mar 31, 1996Washington, Pennsylvania, US
5Win5–0Michael LopezRTD3 (4), 3:00Feb 20, 1996Mahi Temple Shrine Auditorium, Miami, Florida, US
4Win4–0Lacebian CrockettKO1 (?)Dec 13, 1995Holiday Inn Metroplex, Liberty Township, Ohio, US
3Win3–0Anthony HardyUD4Nov 15, 1995Erie, Pennsylvania, US
2Win2–0Nathaniel HardyTKO2 (?)Nov 7, 1995Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
1Win1–0Steve MadduxPTS4Oct 18, 1995Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US

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References

  1. ↑ "Paul Spadafora". BoxRec . Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Chico Harlan (February 27, 2005). "Boxing: Can Spadafora rebound from rock bottom?". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette .
  3. 1 2 3 4 Paula Reed-Ward (September 26, 2012). "Manager McCauley sues Pittsburgh boxer Spadafora". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Boxer Paul Spadafora Arrested In Jefferson Hills". KDKA. September 23, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Paul Spadafora Gets TKO Win In Latest Comeback Fight: 'Pittsburgh Kid' Stops Ivan Fiorletta In Round 8". WTAE. March 3, 2010. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012.
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Shane Mosley 		IBF lightweight champion
20 August 1999 – 26 June 2003
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Javier Jáuregui
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