Promoter Michael Acri announced today that four-division world champion and Hall of Fame inductee Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker is the new chief trainer for undefeated former IBF lightweight champion Paul "The Pittsburgh Kid" Spadafora as he prepares for his Wednesday, June 24 homecoming at Pittsburgh's Amphitheatre at Station Square.

Spadafora (41-0-1), will rumble with Ivan Bustos (27-12-3), of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a 10-round junior welterweight bout. The all-action show will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Whitaker (40-4-1, 17 KOs), and a 1984 Olympic gold medalist, captured world titles in the lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight and junior middleweight divisions during a professional career that spanned 17 years.

Named Fighter of the Year in 1989 and widely considered boxing's best pound for pound fighter during his championship reign, Whitaker was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008.

"I'm looking forward to working with Paul and I know I can add to his game," said Whitaker.

"Pernell was one of my idols growing up and I know we are going to make a good team," added Spadafora.

The undercard will feature two Pittsburgh favorites, undefeated lightweight "Lightning" Rod Salka (7-0, 2 KOs), and welterweight Jose "The Prince" Caraballo (5-3, 1 KO), the professional debut of heavyweight Tommy Poe, from Wheeling, WV, and additional bouts.

Remaining tickets, priced at $103.00 (Ringside), $53.00 (Reserved) and $23.00 (General Admission), can be purchased at the Amphitheatre's box office, all Ticketmaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com, Blue Eagle Sports (726 Broadway Ave., McKees Rocks, Penn. - 412-331-4884) or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. For additional ticket Information, call 814-455-8309.

Share/Save | (0) comments | Add your comments
Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• More Problems For Spadafora.

  

  Former IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora will undergo elbow surgery in a couple of days. Spadafora is still undefeated and has transferred from the >
  
  

• Michael Acri Boxing: Spadafora vs. White September 30

  Former IBF lightweight champion Paul “The Pittsburgh Kid” Spadafora, who returns to the ring for the second time in three months, will face Jermain "Too Sweet" White in a 10-round >
  
  

• Spadafora Sentence up to Five Years.

  

  Former IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora was sentenced to up to five years imprisonment today for the shooting of his >
  
  

• Boxing Result: Ex- World Champ Paul Spadafora Wins Close Call Against Irishman Oisin Fagan

  In just his second fight back from a two year state sponsored vacation from the ring, Paul Spadafora was given a rocky reception last night at the Soaring Eagle Casino >
  
  

• Former IBF Boxing Champ Paul Spadafora Resumes Training After Knee Surgery

  Unbeaten former IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora, 41-0-1, has cleared another hurdle in his comeback bid, returning to the gym on Monday after undergoing knee surgery June 3 by renowned >
  
  

• Ex-IBF Champ Paul Spadafora Returns To Action

  Undefeated former IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora was issued his license and Federal ID by the state of Pennsylvania today and announced that he will return to the ring next >
  
  

• Ex-IBF Boxing Champ Paul Spadafora Returns To Ring March 31 In Pittsburgh

  Former IBF Lightweight King Paul Spadafora declared himself undaunted, undeterred and ready, willing and able to fight, at an afternoon press conference today at the Pittsburgh Hilton. Spadafora, 41-0-1, will >
  
  

• Return Of Ex-Boxing Champ Spadafora Postponed Until April 25

  Michael Acri Promotions’ has postponed the April 6 professional boxing card at The Avalon Hotel in Erie, PA, headlined by the 2008 debut undefeated former IBF lightweight champion "The Pittsburgh >
  
  

• Duvas Congratulate “Sweet Pea”

  Promoter Dino Duva of Duva Boxing and his hall-of-fame father, Lou Duva, wish to send their sincerest congratulations to former multiple world champion Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker upon the announcement >
  
  

• Former IBF Boxing Champ Paul Spadafora Returns June 24

  Promoter Michael Acri announced today that Wednesday, June 24 would be the new date for the ring return of former IBF Lightweight Champion, "The Pittsburgh Kid", Paul Spadafora. A >
  
  

---

Boxing News Tags: , Ivan Bustos, Paul Spadafora, Pernell Whitaker