Paul Spadafora

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.

Paul Spadafora
Born	Paul Ross Spadafora (1975-09-05) September 5, 1975 (age 48) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nationality	American
Other names	The Pittsburgh Kid
Statistics
Weight(s)	Lightweight Light welterweight
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Reach	69 in (175 cm)
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	51
Wins	49
Wins by KO	19
Losses	1
Draws	1

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 fights	49 wins	1 loss
By knockout	19	0
By decision	30	1
Draws	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
51	Win	49–1–1	Héctor Velázquez	UD	8	Jul 11, 2014	Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
50	Loss	48–1–1	Johan Pérez	MD	12	Nov 30, 2013	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US	For WBA interim super lightweight title
49	Win	48–0–1	Robert Franckel	UD	10	Apr 6, 2013	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US	Won vacant NABF super lightweight title
48	Win	47–0–1	Solomon Egberime	UD	10	Dec 1, 2012	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
47	Win	46–0–1	Humberto Toledo	UD	8	Aug 18, 2012	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
46	Win	45–0–1	Alain Hernandez	RTD	5 (10), 3:00	Nov 20, 2010	Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, US
45	Win	44–0–1	Ivan Fiorletta	TKO	8 (10), 0:40	Mar 12, 2010	War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
44	Win	43–0–1	Jermaine White	UD	8	Sep 30, 2009	Heinz Field VIP Tent, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
43	Win	42–0–1	Ivan Orlando Bustos	TKO	6 (8), 2:26	Jun 24, 2009	I.C. Light Amphitheater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
42	Win	41–0–1	Shad Howard	UD	8	Apr 25, 2008	Avalon Hotel, Erie, Pennsylvania, US
41	Win	40–0–1	Oisin Fagan	SD	10	Mar 9, 2007	Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, US
40	Win	39–0–1	Frankie Zepeda	TKO	5 (10), 2:07	Nov 22, 2006	Avalon Hotel, Erie, Pennsylvania, US
39	Win	38–0–1	Francisco Campos	TKO	10 (10), 1:02	Jul 17, 2004	Chevrolet Amphitheatre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
38	Win	37–0–1	Rubén Galván	UD	10	Apr 29, 2004	Hilton Garden Inn, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, US
37	Draw	36–0–1	Leonard Doroftei	SD	12	May 17, 2003	Petersen Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US	Retained IBF lightweight title; For WBA lightweight title
36	Win	36–0	Dennis Holbaek Pedersen	UD	12	Nov 9, 2002	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US	Retained IBF lightweight title
35	Win	35–0	Angel Manfredy	UD	12	Mar 9, 2002	AJ Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US	Retained IBF lightweight title
34	Win	34–0	Charles Tschorniawsky	UD	10	Aug 14, 2001	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
33	Win	33–0	Joel Perez	UD	12	May 8, 2001	I.C. Light Amphitheater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US	Retained IBF lightweight title
32	Win	32–0	Billy Irwin	UD	12	Dec 16, 2000	Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US	Retained IBF lightweight title
31	Win	31–0	Rodney Jones	UD	10	Sep 9, 2000	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
30	Win	30–0	Mike Griffith	TD	10 (12), 3:00	May 6, 2000	Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US	Retained IBF lightweight title
29	Win	29–0	Victoriano Sosa	UD	12	Mar 3, 2000	Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, US	Retained IBF lightweight title
28	Win	28–0	Renato Cornett	TKO	11 (12), 0:52	Dec 17, 1999	Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US	Retained IBF lightweight title
27	Win	27–0	Israel Cardona	UD	12	Aug 20, 1999	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US	Won vacant IBF lightweight title
26	Win	26–0	Eugene Johnson	UD	8	Mar 30, 1999	Monzo's, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, US
25	Win	25–0	Rocky Martinez	UD	10	Jan 22, 1999	Carmichael's, Chicago, Illinois, US
24	Win	24–0	Dezi Ford	TKO	10 (12)	Dec 4, 1998	Monzo's, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, US
23	Win	23–0	Sam Girard	UD	10	Oct 23, 1998	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
22	Win	22–0	David Thomas	TKO	2 (8)	Aug 30, 1998	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
21	Win	21–0	Jose Aponte	PTS	12	Jun 23, 1998	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
20	Win	20–0	Amado Cabato	TKO	7 (8)	May 27, 1998	Avalon Hotel, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, US
19	Win	19–0	Troy Fletcher	UD	8	Mar 26, 1998	Avalon Hotel, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, US
18	Win	18–0	Roger Brown	UD	8	Dec 11, 1997	Avalon Hotel, Erie, Pennsylvania, US
17	Win	17–0	Hector Ramirez	TKO	2 (?)	Oct 15, 1997	Monzo's Palace Inn, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, US
16	Win	16–0	Kino Rodriguez	UD	6	Sep 13, 1997	Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
15	Win	15–0	Bernard Harris	UD	8	Aug 13, 1997	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
14	Win	14–0	Julio Cesar Merino	TKO	5 (?)	May 23, 1997	Ridgeway, Pennsylvania, US
13	Win	13–0	Joe Lafontant	PTS	6	Mar 1, 1997	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
12	Win	12–0	Greg McLean	KO	2 (6)	Dec 22, 1996	Struthers, Ohio, US
11	Win	11–0	Mark Andreske	TKO	5 (?)	Nov 21, 1996	Erie, Pennsylvania, US
10	Win	10–0	Jeff Whaley	TKO	2 (8)	Sep 27, 1996	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
9	Win	9–0	Antonio Gonzalez	UD	4	Jun 22, 1996	Mark Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
8	Win	8–0	Calvin Faggins	TKO	2 (4)	Jun 10, 1996	Washington, Pennsylvania, US
7	Win	7–0	Erik Joshua	UD	4	May 7, 1996	St. John's Arena, Steubenville, Ohio, US
6	Win	6–0	Julio Ibarra	TKO	3 (?)	Mar 31, 1996	Washington, Pennsylvania, US
5	Win	5–0	Michael Lopez	RTD	3 (4), 3:00	Feb 20, 1996	Mahi Temple Shrine Auditorium, Miami, Florida, US
4	Win	4–0	Lacebian Crockett	KO	1 (?)	Dec 13, 1995	Holiday Inn Metroplex, Liberty Township, Ohio, US
3	Win	3–0	Anthony Hardy	UD	4	Nov 15, 1995	Erie, Pennsylvania, US
2	Win	2–0	Nathaniel Hardy	TKO	2 (?)	Nov 7, 1995	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, US
1	Win	1–0	Steve Maddux	PTS	4	Oct 18, 1995	Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US

References

1. "Paul Spadafora". BoxRec. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
2. Chico Harlan (February 27, 2005). "Boxing: Can Spadafora rebound from rock bottom?". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
3. 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.

External links

• Boxing record for Paul Spadafora from BoxRec (registration required)
• Official Website

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