Thread: the wacko one will like this, Paul Spadafora interview

http://www.boxingbuzz.com/peter-klit...temanche33.htm



Q&A Paul Spadafora!



by Andre Courtemanche

November 3, 2006

In the spectacular 1971 Anthony Burgess novel ‘A Clockwork Orange’, there is only one force in the universe powerful enough to ultimately curb main character Alex de Large’s insatiable taste for “ultra violence.” And it’s not prison, not beatings, or even torture. In the end, maturity is what leads him to change his evil ways.



Having been through his own lifelong Clockwork Orange-like odyssey of violence and mayhem and now hoping for a brighter, less tumultuous future, former IBF Lightweight Champion Spadafora can certainly relate.



Spadafora began serving three years of parole earlier this year after seven months in state prison and a stint in boot camp for shooting then girlfriend Nadine Russo at a gas station during an intoxicated rage in October 2003. Now an admitted alcoholic in treatment, “The Pittsburgh Kid” says he’s living alone in Erie Pennsylvania and learning to “keep it simple,” as he begins putting the pieces of his new life together.



The slick, 31-year-old southpaw (38-0-1, 15 KOs) will return to the ring for the first time in over two years to headline promoter Mike Acri’s 22nd-annual Erie Boxing Classic, on Wednesday, November 22, at The Avalon Hotel against Indiana’s Frankie Zepeda (16-3, 9 KOs).



Spadafora and Acri, his promoter, spoke with FightNews about his new life, his old life and his plans for getting back to the top of boxing.



How do you feel about getting back in the ring?



Great, I’m excited.



Have you noticed any ring rust in sparring?



Not really. I think my game is a little better. I’m more mature and smarter.



What are your plans for your boxing career?



I just want to get out there and get my feet wet quickly and hopefully by this time next year, I’ll be making a serious run at one of the belts.



So you think it’ll take about a year for you to get back to your old form?



Nine months to a year.



What did you miss the most about boxing while you were away?



Fight night, walking down the aisle, being in the spotlight, and competing. I just love everything about it. I couldn’t train at all while I was away. You could do a little jogging, but that’s about it. It’s not the same.



What weight will you be competing at? Is 140 lbs only temporary?



No. I’m comfortable at 140. If I see something at 147, I could be strong at that weight too, but no more 135.



Were you following boxing while you were in prison?



I wasn’t watching boxing at all. I know nothing about these champions at 140.



How did it feel to be free again?



Unbelievable. Yesterday, I thanked God and asked him to let me do what I love to do again. I just want to thank him for getting me through this.



Where are you living now?



I’m living alone in Erie.



Do you think being gone this long will hurt your career?



I think it will help me. I think this layoff won’t hurt me at all. If anything, it’ll help me because I had a lot of wear and tear outside of the ring.



Do you worry about going back to prison?



I think about it every day. One day at a time. If I keep it simple, I‘ll be alright.



What are you doing differently in your life now?



I was surrounding myself with the wrong people. And when you surround yourself with bad people, you’re going to do bad things. It didn’t catch up to me for thirty years. That’s how long I was around those people before something really bad finally happened. Now I’m out of Pittsburgh. It’s not the right place for me to be right now. I’m doing my own thing right now. I have new friends and I’m trying to go to better places.



Tell me about your relationship with your promoter, Mike Acri, while you were away.



We stayed in touch. He was there for me when I went away. It picked up again as soon as I got out. I’m up in Erie where he’s at and everything is going good. My family has been supportive.



How do you feel about the shooting incident that led to your arrest?



It was a big lesson. I can’t even explain it. You never know what you have until you lose it. The main thing is drinking, you know what I mean?



You used the phrase “keep it simple,” which is an AA slogan and you point to alcohol as a seriously negative factor in your old life, are you working a 12-step program?



I have a sponsor. I work a program with him. Boxing is a program in itself, you know what I mean?



Do you have a message for your fans?



Thank you for all the cards and letters. I’m the comeback kid. I’m coming back!








Mike Acri



Tell me about your relationship with Paul while he was in prison.



Me and his manager, Al McCauley, exchanged letters and phone calls with him. He was in boot camp for six months, so it was much more restricted, but we managed to stay in contact.



What is the game plan for Paul’s comeback?



We’ve got his first fight on November 22 in Erie and he’s been looking tremendous in the gym. The hand speed is still there. His skills are still there. No rust. He’s in good shape. Mentally, he’s very strong and determined. He’s very determined to get back to the top.



Have you noticed a change in Paul since he got out?



His behavior, he’s an adult now. He had a problem with alcohol that he’s admitted to and he’s dealing with it. I’ve noticed that he’s come to the realization that alcohol was ruining him and it wasn’t recreational. It began to tear apart the good things in his life. He came to realize that he better start using his talents the right way before it’s too late.

not much of a spadafora fan, but I do believe I'll see this one live.

he made a 'wave at the crowd' appearance at the Mesi fight saw as did leonard

wonder if Mesi will come down to Erie to see him ...

for the read Majesty.

Personally, IWO, Spad was one of the most underratted fighters in his weight class. That gent has some marvelous skills. He's a poor man's Mayweather.

I'd love to see him come out on top.

Got me fingers crossed.

cc #149
Nice read and interested in seeing him climb his way to the top....
It will be a sight to be seeing if he can fight PBF by the end of 2007....