Paul Spadafora
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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. In 2020, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame.[2][3]
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.[4]
Troubles outside the ring
Spadafora was an alcoholic from a young age and at one point also abused drugs.[4] 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.[4] He had by then become engaged to Russo and she had born his second child.[4] He ultimately went to prison for the crime.[5]
In September[6] and October 2011, Spadafora was twice arrested on DUI charges. The following September he pleaded guilty.[5]
On September 23, 2012, his manager filed suit against him in Allegheny County court for breach of contract.[5]
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.[7]
On April 25, 2008, again in Erie, Spadafora returned to the ring to fight Shad Howard. Spadafora repeatedly connected with sharp jabs and combinations enroute to an 80–72 unanimous decision.
In 2010 he defeated Italian boxer Ivan Fiorletta by knockout.[8] In August 2012 he defeated Humberto Toledo.[5]
On April 6, 2013, Spadafora defeated Robert Franckel for the NABF Super Lightweight Championship.
Spadafora suffered the only loss of his career on November 30, 2013, losing to Johan Pérez by majority decision to lose the WBA Light Welterweight title.[9]
Retirement
Paul Spadafora retired from boxing following his 2014 fight with Héctor Velázquez.
In April 2016, Spadafora was charged with assault for an altercation with a woman outside of Redstone Tavern in Crafton, Pennsylvania, and was sentenced to anger management classes.[10]
In December 2016, Spadafora was arrested after police responded to an altercation where Spadafora was accused of attacking his brother with a knife, stabbing him in the thigh, and kicking his mother in the back. In March 2018, Spadafora plead guilty to simple assault, resisting arrest, and terroristic threats, and was sentenced to time served and released on parole.[11]
As of 2024, Paul Spadafora is living in Las Vegas and training boxers in a gym built in his garage.[12] In October 2024, Spadafora was hospitalized after being bitten by his pet dog, severing an artery in his left arm.[13]
Professional boxing record
| 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, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 50 | Loss | 48–1–1 | Johan Pérez | MD | 12 | Nov 30, 2013 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For WBA interim super lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 49 | Win | 48–0–1 | Robert Franckel | UD | 10 | Apr 6, 2013 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won vacant NABF super lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 48 | Win | 47–0–1 | Solomon Egberime | UD | 10 | Dec 1, 2012 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 47 | Win | 46–0–1 | Humberto Toledo | UD | 8 | Aug 18, 2012 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 46 | Win | 45–0–1 | Alain Hernandez | RTD | 5 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Nov 20, 2010 | Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 45 | Win | 44–0–1 | Ivan Fiorletta | TKO | 8 (10), 0:40Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Mar 12, 2010 | War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 44 | Win | 43–0–1 | Jermaine White | UD | 8 | Sep 30, 2009 | Heinz Field VIP Tent, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 43 | Win | 42–0–1 | Ivan Orlando Bustos | TKO | 6 (8), 2:26Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jun 24, 2009 | I.C. Light Amphitheater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 42 | Win | 41–0–1 | Shad Howard | UD | 8 | Apr 25, 2008 | Avalon Hotel, Erie, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 41 | Win | 40–0–1 | Oisin Fagan | SD | 10 | Mar 9, 2007 | Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 40 | Win | 39–0–1 | Frankie Zepeda | TKO | 5 (10), 2:07Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Nov 22, 2006 | Avalon Hotel, Erie, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 39 | Win | 38–0–1 | Francisco Campos | TKO | 10 (10), 1:02Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jul 17, 2004 | Chevrolet Amphitheatre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 38 | Win | 37–0–1 | Rubén Galván | UD | 10 | Apr 29, 2004 | Hilton Garden Inn, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 37 | Template:DrawDraw | 36–0–1 | Leonard Doroftei | SD | 12 | May 17, 2003 | Petersen Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained IBF lightweight title; For WBA lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 36 | Win | 36–0 | Dennis Holbaek Pedersen | UD | 12 | Nov 9, 2002 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained IBF lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 35 | Win | 35–0 | Angel Manfredy | UD | 12 | Mar 9, 2002 | AJ Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained IBF lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 34 | Win | 34–0 | Charles Tschorniawsky | UD | 10 | Aug 14, 2001 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 33 | Win | 33–0 | Joel Perez | UD | 12 | May 8, 2001 | I.C. Light Amphitheater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained IBF lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 32 | Win | 32–0 | Billy Irwin | UD | 12 | Dec 16, 2000 | Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained IBF lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 31 | Win | 31–0 | Rodney Jones | UD | 10 | Sep 9, 2000 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 30 | Win | 30–0 | Mike Griffith | TD | 10 (12), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | May 6, 2000 | Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained IBF lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 29 | Win | 29–0 | Victoriano Sosa | UD | 12 | Mar 3, 2000 | Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained IBF lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 28 | Win | 28–0 | Renato Cornett | TKO | 11 (12), 0:52Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Dec 17, 1999 | Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained IBF lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | Israel Cardona | UD | 12 | Aug 20, 1999 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won vacant IBF lightweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | Eugene Johnson | UD | 8 | Mar 30, 1999 | Monzo's, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Rocky Martinez | UD | 10 | Jan 22, 1999 | Carmichael's, Chicago, Illinois, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Dezi Ford | TKO | 10 (12) | Dec 4, 1998 | Monzo's, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Sam Girard | UD | 10 | Oct 23, 1998 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | David Thomas | TKO | 2 (8) | Aug 30, 1998 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Jose Aponte | PTS | 12 | Jun 23, 1998 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Amado Cabato | TKO | 7 (8) | May 27, 1998 | Avalon Hotel, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Troy Fletcher | UD | 8 | Mar 26, 1998 | Avalon Hotel, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Roger Brown | UD | 8 | Dec 11, 1997 | Avalon Hotel, Erie, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Hector Ramirez | TKO | 2 (?) | Oct 15, 1997 | Monzo's Palace Inn, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Kino Rodriguez | UD | 6 | Sep 13, 1997 | Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Bernard Harris | UD | 8 | Aug 13, 1997 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Julio Cesar Merino | TKO | 5 (?) | May 23, 1997 | Ridgeway, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Joe Lafontant | PTS | 6 | Mar 1, 1997 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Greg McLean | KO | 2 (6) | Dec 22, 1996 | Struthers, Ohio, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Mark Andreske | TKO | 5 (?) | Nov 21, 1996 | Erie, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Jeff Whaley | TKO | 2 (8) | Sep 27, 1996 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Antonio Gonzalez | UD | 4 | Jun 22, 1996 | Mark Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Calvin Faggins | TKO | 2 (4) | Jun 10, 1996 | Washington, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Erik Joshua | UD | 4 | May 7, 1996 | St. John's Arena, Steubenville, Ohio, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Julio Ibarra | TKO | 3 (?) | Mar 31, 1996 | Washington, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Michael Lopez | RTD | 3 (4), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Feb 20, 1996 | Mahi Temple Shrine Auditorium, Miami, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Lacebian Crockett | KO | 1 (?) | Dec 13, 1995 | Holiday Inn Metroplex, Liberty Township, Ohio, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Anthony Hardy | UD | 4 | Nov 15, 1995 | Erie, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Nathaniel Hardy | TKO | 2 (?) | Nov 7, 1995 | Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Steve Maddux | PTS | 4 | Oct 18, 1995 | Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
See also
- Billy Conn, another professional boxer from Pittsburgh nicknamed "the Pittsburgh Kid".
References
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