PAUL SPADAFORA PROFILE

Paul Spadafora, Can He Become Champion Again?

By Matt Yanofsky

Paul Spadafora, “The Pittsburgh Kid,” has finally returned! It has felt like years since we have heard this name. We all remember the notorious sparring video showing undefeated pound-for-pound superstar Floyd Mayweather being annihilated by Spadafora {if you didn’t see it, you can see it here: youtube.com/watch?v=bhK1ZnnmN7A}. This sparring match is still referred to today due to the fact that it was the only time Mayweather was known to have taken a beating.

After a good amateur career, Spadafora turned pro on October 18, 1995, earning a unanimous decision over Steve Maddox. After that, it would only go uphill for Paul. After racking up the victories and climbing to 20-0, it was time for his first big fight. Spadafora took on Jose Aponte for the vacant IBC Title. Spadafora easily won the fight on points. He later defended the IBC title stopping Dezi Ford in the tenth round. After holding this regional title belt, Spadafora had dreams of a World Title. Spadafora saw his dream right in front of him.

On August 20, 1999, Spadafora fought for the vacant IBF Lightweight Title. Spadafora earned a unanimous decision and nearly shut out Israel Cardona. The judges scored the fight 120-108, 119-109 and 119-108—all for The Pittsburgh Kid. Spadafora fulfilled his dream of being a World Champion. Spadafora defended his title seven times between 1999 and 2003. His reign included victories over Angel Manfredy and Victoriano Sosa. During these fights, Spadafora dominated. He was rarely challenged, while also defending in front of his Pittsburgh fans. Spadafora won every fight by Unanimous Decision or KO. Pittsburgh boxing fans referred to him as a breath of fresh air and their best boxer in the last fifty years. Little did we know one fight would once again change everything.

On May 17, 2003, Spadafora fought the undefeated WBA Lightweight Champion Leonard Dorin. Although both men were undefeated, Spadafora was the heavy favorite. The fight was at the Peterson Center in Pittsburgh PA. Spadafora’s fans were ecstatic to watch their undefeated champion fight for his second major title belt. On this night, things did not go Spadafora’s way. Dorin gave Spadafora a very tough fight. The fans were unsure of who would come out the victor. The fight ended up a draw with one Judge scoring the bout 115-114 for Spadafora, a second judge scoring it 115-113 for Dorin while the third judge ruled the bout a draw.

After the fight, fans were upset and didn’t understand why Spadafora didn’t have a victory with him as he left the Peterson Center. Before ever fighting again, Spadafora vacated his IBF Title claiming that making the 135-lb. weight limit was too hard for him. Spadafora ran into problems much bigger than making weight. On October 26, 2003, he allegedly shot his girlfriend Nadine Russo. Spadafora was arrested on October 29 and released after posting bail. Although free, Spadafora was awaiting trial for the shooting.

Spadafora was able to re gather himself by winning his first fight at 140 on April 29, 2004 by shutting out Ruben Galvin on all three judges scorecards. On July 17, Spadafora won again stopping the previously undefeated Francisco Campos in 10 rounds. Unfortunately, this would be Spadafora’s last fight for quite some time.

On September 7, 2004, Spadafora was again arrested. Spadafora was accused of driving his car into a park while under the influence. Spadafora also announced he planed to marry his girlfriend. On December 9, Spadafora failed a urine test, which showed cocaine in his system, leading to yet another arrest.

With almost a year of inactivity in the ring, Spadafora had something a lot bigger than a title fight coming up. In February 2005, Spadafora was on trial for the October 2003 shooting of his girlfriend. On February 23, 2005, he was sentenced to 21 to 60 months in prison. A bright career was suddenly postponed.

After serving less than two years, Spadafora was released after agreeing to be sent to a boot camp. Spadafora was still in great physical shape and planned to fight. He was originally scheduled to fight in October 2006 on Mike Tyson’s World tour, but he decided it was best to fight closer to his fans while also having more time to train. Spadafora is 2-0 during his return to the ring. On November 22 in Erie, PA, he stopped Frankie Zepeda in five rounds. Spadafora’s second contest was not as easy. On March 9, Spadafora earned a split decision over unheralded Oisin Fagan. Spadafora won by a wide margin on two of the three judges’ scorecards {97-93 and 98-91} while losing 96-95 on the third card. Spadafora had a point deducted in the eighth round for a low blow which gave Fagan the one point edge on Jack Richards’ card.

The questions still remains as to whether Spadafora can become a champion again and recapture the hearts of Pittsburgh’s boxing fans. I would love to see Spadafora win a title. However, Junior Welterweight is a strong division with the return of Ricky Hatton among other hot commodities at this weight. Superstar Jose Luis Castillo is also fighting at Junior Welterweight and just defeated the tough and previously undefeated Herman Ngoudjo. The fans of Spadafora, who have been waiting a long time since he last held a title belt in 2003, will have to hope that the Pittsburgh Kid returns to his glory days.

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