Paul Spadafora
| Paul Spadafora | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Paul Ross Spadafora |
| Nickname(s) | The Pittsburgh Kid |
| Rated at |
Lightweight Light welterweight |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
September 5, 1975 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 51 |
| Wins | 49 |
| Wins by KO | 19 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Draws | 1 |
Paul Ross Spadafora (born September 5, 1975) is a retired American professional boxer. He is the former IBF lightweight champion of the world, and has challenged once for a light welterweight world title.
Known as "The Pittsburgh Kid", Spadafora hails McKees Rocks, a borough outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Spadafora had a fruitful amateur career, winning 75 of 80 bouts. His dreams of becoming a professional boxer were almost dashed before he turned professional: According to the official reports, Spadafora was travelling in a car that was driven by a friend. When his friend began to go over the speed limit, he was chased by a cop. Since the driver refused to stop, the cop fired a shot, hitting Spadafora in the achilles' tendon.
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 aforementioned 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 knockout over Mike Griffith in round 11, and beat Billy Irwin in a 12 round decision to close the year.
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