Vinny Paz

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Vinny Paz
VinnyPaz1994.jpg
Paz in 1994
Born
Vincenzo Edward Pazienza

(1962-12-16) December 16, 1962 (age 62)
Other namesThe Pazmanian Devil
Statistics
Weight(s) Lightweight
Light welterweight
Light middleweight
Super middleweight
Height5 ft 7+12 in (1.71 m)
Reach70+12 in (179 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights60
Wins50
Wins by KO30
Losses10

Vinny Paz (born Vincenzo Edward Pazienza, December 16, 1962), formerly Vinny Pazienza, is an American former professional boxer who held world titles at lightweight and light middleweight. The 2016 film Bleed for This is based on his comeback from a spinal injury. In 2022, he was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame. [1] Paz was also inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2025. [2]

Contents

Professional career

In the 1980s, Pazienza built a reputation along the U.S. East Coast, defeating such opponents as Melvin Paul (KO 2), Joe Frazier Jr. (TKO 7), Harry Arroyo (UD 10), Nelson Bolanos (TKO 6), and Roberto Elizondo (KO in 10). His first world title fight came on June 7, 1987, in Providence, Rhode Island, where he outpointed Greg Haugen over 15 rounds to become the IBF world lightweight champion. [3] [4] The pair would meet two more times: Haugen recovering the title in an immediate rematch, [5] [6] [7] and Pazienza prevailing in a 10-round decision in their rubber match in 1990. [8]

Pazienza failed in title tries in the junior welterweight division: in 1988, against WBC World Champion Roger Mayweather and in 1990, against both WBO Champion Hector "Macho" Camacho and WBA World Champion Loreto Garza. [9] [10]

In 1991, Pazienza moved into the junior middleweight division. This movement was at the advice of his new trainer Kevin Rooney. [11] In his first fight at junior middleweight, he won the USBA championship against Ron Amundsen in a 12-round decision. He defeated the WBA world jr. middleweight champion Gilbert Delé with a 12th-round TKO in Providence, becoming the second fighter in boxing history to win both the lightweight and junior middleweight world championships. [10] [12]

Pazienza was forced to relinquish the title due to a serious car accident in which his neck was broken. He was scheduled for a Jan.10 title defense against Pat Lawlor in Atlantic City but it was called off. Doctors informed him he might never walk again and would certainly never fight again. Pazienza had to wear a medical device called a Halo, a circular metal brace screwed into the skull in four spots and propped up with four metal rods. He had the Halo screwed to his skull for three months, during which time he maintained a workout regimen against doctors orders. [13] [14] He returned to the ring thirteen months after the accident and defeated future WBC world jr. middleweight champion Luis Santana by a 10-round decision. [12] [15]

After the Santana fight, Pazienza went on to defeat Brett Lally by a 6th-round TKO, [16] [17] and then, in another TKO, former world champion Lloyd Honeyghan in the 10th round. [18] [19] Pazienza went on to win the vacant IBO middleweight world title in 1993 with an 11th-round KO over Dan Sherry. [20] Pazienza then went on to beat Roberto Durán twice, both via unanimous decision, with the IBC super middleweight title on the line both times. In the first fight, Durán put Pazienza down in Rounds 2 and 5, but referee Joe Cortez controversially ruled the Round 2 knockdown to be a slip. The first fight divided the people watching as some felt that Durán had won a close fight, but others felt that Pazienza had won either narrowly or widely after finishing strongly in the last five rounds. The second fight was more lopsided in Pazienza's favour, as despite the official judges giving Pazienza the win by scores of 116–112, 117–111 and 118–110, the TV commentators expressed puzzlement at the closeness of the official scoring as they thought that Pazienza had won every round in a 120–108 shutout. [21]

In June 1995, Pazienza lost his world title bid against IBF world super middleweight champion Roy Jones Jr. [22] [23] In 1996, Pazienza inflicted then-prospect Dana Rosenblatt's only loss (a knockout in four rounds) to win the vacant WBU super middleweight world championship. [24] [25]

In early 2001, Pazienza legally changed his last name to Paz. [26] In 2002, he lost to WBC world super middleweight champion Eric Lucas in what would be his last shot at a world title. [27] In 2004, Paz fought in his last fight, defeating Tocker Pudwill via 10-round unanimous decision. His record stands at 50–10, with 30 wins by knockout and five world titles (the IBF lightweight championship, WBA jr. middleweight championship, IBO super middleweight championship, IBC super middleweight championship, and the WBU super middleweight championship). He also won the USBA title.

Neck injury

On November 12, 1991, Pazienza was a passenger in a car that was involved in a head-on collision in Warwick, Rhode Island, at an estimated speed of 40 miles per hour (64 km/h), as a result of which he suffered a dislocated vertebra and two fractured vertebrae in his neck. [28] The driver of his car suffered a head injury and the driver of the oncoming car suffered minor injuries. Pazienza sued both drivers and was awarded $926,000, after the District Court for the District of Rhode Island ruled that the driver of the car in which Pazienza was a passenger was solely responsible for causing the accident. [28]

Television/film appearances

Outside of boxing, Paz was a guest star on the TV series Police Academy, a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno , was featured on The Montell Williams Show , served as a guest security guard on an episode of The Jerry Springer Show , and refereed the Brawl for All fight at WrestleMania XV between Bart Gunn and Butterbean. [29] He appeared in the unreleased 1997 movie The Good Life . [30]

The 2016 film Bleed for This is based on his comeback from a spinal injury, and stars Miles Teller as Pazienza. [31]

Paz has been arrested on a variety of criminal charges, including alcohol-related crimes, domestic violence, passing bad checks, and disorderly conduct. [32] [33] [34] [35] [36]

Professional boxing record

60 fights50 wins10 losses
By knockout303
By decision206
By disqualification01
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
60Win50–10Tocker PudwillUD10Mar 27, 2004Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
59Loss49–10 Eric Lucas UD12Mar 1, 2002Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.For WBC super middleweight title
58Win49–9Levan EasleyUD10Dec 7, 2001Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
57Win48–9Tim ShocksUD10Sep 21, 2001Rhodes-on-the Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island, U.S.
56Win47–9Pat LawlorKO2 (10), 1:52Jul 27, 2001 Rhodes-on-the Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island, U.S.
55Loss46–9 Aaron Davis TKO8 (10), 1:48Feb 9, 2001Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
54Loss46–8 Dana Rosenblatt SD12Nov 5, 1999Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.For vacant IBO super middleweight title
53Win46–7Esteban CervantesSD10Jun 25, 1999Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
52Win45–7 Joseph Kiwanuka UD10Apr 9, 1999Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
51Win44–7Undra WhiteTKO9 (10), 2:55Jan 8, 1999Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
50Win43–7Arthur AllenUD10Nov 6, 1998Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
49Win42–7 Glenwood Brown MD10Jul 26, 1998Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
48Loss41–7 Herol Graham UD12Dec 6, 1997 Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, EnglandFor WBC International super middleweight title
47Win41–6 Dana Rosenblatt TKO4 (12), 2:13Aug 23, 1996 Bally's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won vacant WBU super middleweight title
46Loss40–6 Roy Jones Jr. TKO6 (12), 2:58 Jun 24, 1995 Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For IBF super middleweight title
45Win40–5 Roberto Durán UD12 Jan 14, 1995 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained IBC super middleweight title
44Win39–5Rafael WilliamsUD10Nov 8, 1994Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
43Win38–5 Roberto Durán UD12 Jun 25, 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant IBC super middleweight title
42Win37–5 Jacques LeBlanc UD10Apr 5, 1994Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
41Win36–5Dan SherryKO11 (15), 2:59Dec 28, 1993 Ritz Carlton, Aspen, Colorado, U.S.Won vacant IBO super middleweight title
40Win35–5 Robbie Sims UD10Oct 26, 1993Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
39Win34–5 Lloyd Honeyghan TKO10 (12), 0:56 Jun 26, 1993 Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
38Win33–5Brett LallyRTD6 (10), 3:00Mar 2, 1993Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
37Win32–5 Luis Santana UD10Dec 15, 1992 Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
36Win31–5 Gilbert Delé TKO12 (12), 2:10Oct 1, 1991Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.Won WBA light middleweight title
35Win30–5Ron AmundsenUD12Jul 2, 1991Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.Won IBF USBA light middleweight title
34Loss29–5 Loreto Garza DQ11 (12), 2:59Dec 1, 1990 Arco Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.For WBA light welterweight title
33Win29–4 Greg Haugen UD10Aug 5, 1990Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32Loss28–4 Hector Camacho UD12Feb 3, 1990Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For WBO light welterweight title
31Win28–3 Eddie VanKirk TKO5 (10), 2:41Nov 27, 1989Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
30Win27–3Vinnie BurgeseTKO10 (10), 1:05Jun 11, 1989Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
29Win26–3Jake CarolloTKO2 (10), 1:58Apr 14, 1989 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
28Loss25–3 Roger Mayweather UD12Nov 7, 1988Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.For WBC light welterweight title
27Win25–2Rick KaiserTKO3 (10), 1:24Oct 4, 1988 Park West, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
26Win24–2Felix DubrayTKO4 (10), 1:34Jun 27, 1988Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
25Loss23–2 Greg Haugen UD15Feb 6, 1988 Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Lost IBF lightweight title
24Win23–1 Greg Haugen UD15Jun 7, 1987Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.Won IBF lightweight title
23Win22–1 Roberto Elizondo TKO10 (10), 2:56Feb 8, 1987Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
22Win21–1Roger BrownTKO4 (10), 2:53Nov 8, 1986 San Juan, Puerto Rico
21Win20–1Nelson BolanosTKO6 (12), 2:48Sep 18, 1986 Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
20Win19–1 Harry Arroyo UD10May 18, 1986Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
19Win18–1Joe Frazier Jr.TKO7 (10), 1:52Feb 5, 1986 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
18Win17–1Melvin PaulTKO2 (10)Nov 26, 1985Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17Win16–1Jeff BumpusUD10Sep 18, 1985Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
16Win15–1Antoine LarkTKO6 (8), 2:46Mar 27, 1985 Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15Loss14–1Abdelkader MarbiTKO5 (8)Dec 1, 1984 Palazzo Dello Sport, Milan, Italy
14Win14–0Bruno SimiliTKO3 (8)Nov 17, 1984 Riva del Garda, Italy
13Win13–0Rich McCainUD8Aug 29, 1984Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win12–0Mike GoldenPTS8Apr 15, 1984Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11Win11–0David BellTKO4 (8)Feb 26, 1984 Beaumont Civic Center, Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
10Win10–0Jose OrtizKO6 (8), 2:37Dec 14, 1983Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win9–0Emilio DiazTKO3 (?)Dec 2, 1983 Warwick, Rhode Island, U.S.
8Win8–0Robert StevensonKO1 (6), 1:45Oct 27, 1983Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
7Win7–0Jim ZelinskiTKO2 (6)Sep 24, 1983Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0Ricardo MorenoTKO3 (6), 2:42Sep 9, 1983 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
5Win5–0Rafael AliciaTKO2 (4), 2:30Aug 31, 1983Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win4–0Eddie CarberryTKO2 (4)Aug 16, 1983 Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win3–0Patrick Dangerfield Jr.KO2 (4)Jul 10, 1983 Caesars Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2Win2–0Keith McCoyKO3 (4)Jun 30, 1983Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
1Win1–0Alfredo RiveraTKO4 (4)May 26, 1983 Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.

References

  1. Dr. Robert Goldman (March 12, 2022). "2022 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductees". www.sportshof.org. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  2. https://ringmagazine.com/en
  3. Berger, Phil (June 8, 1987). "Boxing; Pazienza Shaken But Captures Title". The New York Times . Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  4. Putnam, Pat (June 15, 1987). "Local Boy Makes Good". Vault - Sports Illustrated . Archived from the original on October 16, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  5. Berger, Phil (February 7, 1988). "Boxing; Haugen Regains I.B.F. Lightweight Crown". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  6. Raffo, Dave (February 7, 1988). "Greg Haugen and Vinny Pazienza have boxed 30 rounds". United Press International . Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  7. Putnam, Pat (February 15, 1988). "Old Enemy, New Ending". Vault - Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  8. Putnam, Pat (August 13, 1990). "Let's Dance". Vault - Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 16, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  9. Brock, Ted (February 10, 1991). "He Decides at the Last Minute He's Not Really Retiring Type". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  10. 1 2 Berger, Phil (May 20, 1992). "Boxing; Pazienza Is Trying to Make a Comeback in More Ways Than One". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  11. "The boxer who returned from a broken neck". BBC Sport.
  12. 1 2 "Boxing; Pazienza Takes a Decision In Return From Broken Neck". The New York Times. December 16, 1992. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  13. Jackman, Phil (December 10, 1992). "Never one to back down, Pazienza manages to fight off broken neck, too". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  14. Price, Terry (December 15, 1992). "The Return of Pazienza". Hartford Courant . Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  15. Berkow, Ira (January 13, 1995). "Boxing; Vinny Pazienza's Necessary Risks". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  16. Canfield, Owen (March 3, 1993). "He Has Right to Boast Because He Isn't Wrong". Hartford Courant. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  17. "Boxing; Pazienza Wins by Knockout". The New York Times. March 3, 1993. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  18. "Vinny Pazienza decked Lloyd Honeyghan twice and stopped him". United Press International. June 27, 1993. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  19. Eskenazi, Gerald (June 27, 1993). "Boxing; Not Even The Towel Can Stop Pazienza". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  20. Plummer, William (December 20, 1993). "Difficult Patient". People . Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  21. Wise, Mike (January 16, 1995). "Boxing; Age 32 Beats Age 43: It's an Old Story". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  22. Katz, Michael (June 25, 1995). "Pazienza No Match for 'Brillaint' Jones". New York Daily News . Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  23. Hoffer, Richard (July 3, 1995). "Beaten to the Punch Vinny Pazienza Failed to Survive Even the Merciful Pounding Delivered by Roy Jones Jr". Vault - Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  24. Katz, Michael (August 23, 1996). "Paz Receives No Respect from Tonight's Opponent". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  25. Wise, Mike (August 25, 1996). "Pazienza Uses Tough Talk And an Even Tougher Right". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  26. Price, Terry (February 9, 2001). "Name Changes, But Not Style". Hartford Courant. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  27. "Lucas, Paz to Fight for WBC Belt". Huron Daily Tribune . February 26, 2002. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  28. 1 2 "Pazienza awarded $926,000 for injuries from car accident". Associated Press . April 11, 1997. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  29. "WWE News and Pro Wrestling Coverage Since 1987". PWTorch. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  30. "The wild, untold story of The Good Life". Little White Lies . February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  31. "Bleed for This (2016)". IMDb . Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  32. "Vinny Paz pleads no contest to disorderly conduct, assault charge dismissed", providencejournal.com, September 11, 2012.
  33. "Bad Boy Boxer: Paz picked up on warrant". Hot Boxing News. February 23, 2003. Archived from the original on August 27, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  34. "Vinny Paz Arrested for Domestic Abuse", Boxing Scene, July 31, 2007.
  35. "Vinny Paz wanted for assault". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  36. Nunes, Rachel (March 15, 2018). "Vinny Paz pleads no contest to domestic assault charge". WPRI-TV . Retrieved March 15, 2018.

Bibliography

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by
Ron Amundsen
USBA light middleweight champion
July 2, 1991 – October 1, 1991
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Vincent Pettway
World boxing titles
Preceded by IBF lightweight champion
June 7, 1987 February 6, 1988
Succeeded by
Preceded by WBA light middleweight champion
October 1, 1991 October 14, 1992
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Julio César Vásquez
Awards
Previous:
Tony Lopez
The Ring Magazine Comeback of the Year
1991
Next:
Iran Barkley