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Paul Spadafora (born September 5, 1975 in
Pittsburgh) he is a current resident of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh who is a
professional Boxing|boxer. Spadafora was the
International Boxing Federation|IBF's world
Lightweight champion.

Spadafora is a local hero in Pittsburgh. His
fights there attract rather large amounts of
considerably loud supporters, both male and
female. One of his most loyal fans is his
grandfather, who has gone to each of his bouts,
both on the amateur and professional ranks.

Spadafora had a fruitful amateur career, winning
75 of the 80 bouts he participated in during that
stage of his life as a boxer. His dreams of
becoming a professional boxer were almost dashed
before he could fight for money for the first
time, however: In a confusing incident, Spadafora
was shot in the Achilles' tendon|achilles' tendon
by a Police|policeman. 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.
Seeing as the driver refused to stop, the cop
fired a shot, hitting Spadafora.

On October 18 of 1995, Spadafora was able to make
his professional debut, with a four round
Knockout|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.

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, Pennsylvania|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 by 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 retained the title also against Mike
Griffith, by knockout in round 11, and Billy
Irwin, with a decision in 12 to close the year.

By the time 2001 rolled in, Spadafora was already
a regular on the HBO Boxing Television|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 retaining the title by beating 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.

In 2003, Spadafora and World Boxing
Association|WBA world champion Leonard Dorin
decided to meet to try to unify their world
titles. They met on May 18, but the fight was
declared a draw (tie), both boxers remaining as
world champions in their respective organizations.

On June 27 of the same year, Spadafora announced
he is relinquishing the IBF world Lightweight
title, to move to the Jr. Welterweight division.
He said he was having trouble making the
Lightweight division's weight limit.

On October 29 of that year, Spadafora was arrested
and acussed in the shooting of his girlfriend,
Nadine Russo. Russo was shot while in a gas
station on October 26. Spadafora was released
after posting a $50,000 US dollar|dollars bond.

Spadafora next fought on July 17 of 2004, knocking
out Costa Rica's Francisco Campos
(boxer)|Francisco Campos in three rounds.

On September 7 of that year, he was arrested
again, for running a automobile|car into a park
while allegedly driving under the influence of
Alcohol|alcohol. At the same time, he announced
that he and Russo are planning to get
Marriage|married.

On September 29, he had a failed suicide attempt.
His personal troubles continued on December 11,
when he was arrested after a urine test of his
showed traces of cocaine in his body. On December
20, he pleaded guilty of the charges of drug
using, and was jailed immediately.

Spadafora has a record of 37 wins, 0 losses and 1
draw, with 15 wins by knockout.

==External link==
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05058/463277.stm
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Can Spadafora rebound
from rock bottom?