Spadafora set for return!

http://www.fightnews.com/fightnews_2...lHKfmfHmj.html


Michael Acri Boxing Promotions has announced the ring return of “The Pittsburgh Kid,” undefeated former IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora (38-0-1, 15 KOs). Spadafora’s return – his first fight in over two years – will headline Acri’s 22nd annual Erie Boxing Classic, Wednesday, November 22, at The Avalon Hotel. Tickets, which go on sale tomorrow, are priced at $60, $40 and $20. They can be purchased at The Avalon Hotel, Dee’s Cigar Store, Johnny’s Sports Bar and Ringside Restaurant.

Anyone think he can be a major force? Was he highly rated to being with?

Is he at 135 or 140 ?

i wasn't really ever sold on Spaddy the way he struggled against Dorin and how easy Gatti beat him made me really wonder just how good he really is, that said i think he wouldn't really have a chance at either division, well not against the top competition anyways,

at 135
Julio Diaz
Juan Diaz
Joel Casamayor
Jorge Barrios
Acelino Freitas
Jesus Chavez
Jose Cotto

at 140
Ricky Hatton
Juan Urango
Junior Witter
Arturo Gatti
Paul Malignaggi
Jose Luis Castillo
Diego Corrales

all would probably take him

Quote:

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Originally Posted by El Gamo

http://www.fightnews.com/fightnews_2...lHKfmfHmj.html


Michael Acri Boxing Promotions has announced the ring return of “The Pittsburgh Kid,” undefeated former IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora (38-0-1, 15 KOs). Spadafora’s return – his first fight in over two years – will headline Acri’s 22nd annual Erie Boxing Classic, Wednesday, November 22, at The Avalon Hotel. Tickets, which go on sale tomorrow, are priced at $60, $40 and $20. They can be purchased at The Avalon Hotel, Dee’s Cigar Store, Johnny’s Sports Bar and Ringside Restaurant.

Anyone think he can be a major force? Was he highly rated to being with?

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he was the IBF lightweight champ I believe... I have no idea whether he can be a force again he's been in jail for some time, who know's if he kept in shape physically or mentally.. Ive only seen a little bit of Spaddy, he's definetly a solid fundamental boxer.. He has absolutely 0 power though, which could prevent him from beating top guys combined with his layoff. I never saw his fight with Dorin but as someone else states theres some cause for concern there considering how badly Gatti beat him.. THere fight was a bloody draw. I don't know if Spadafora was less than 100% that night or what.

I love posting this vid of Spadafora kicking PBF's ass in sparring! I think it was from before Mayweather-Castillo I...it says in the audio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhK1ZnnmN7A

Still, PBF would have rocked him if he was in shape like the announcers said as well.


I've mentioned this in the past, but Spadafora's trainer was Tom Yankello. Yankello is now the trainer of HW's Calvin Brock and Brian Minto (who sucks). I live in pittsburgh and remember reading when he got out of prision a few months back (For shotting his girlfriend/fiance in a drunken rage. She lived and was fine) but he also had nasty alcohol and cocaine addictions from what I heard. I train at 3rd Avenue gym and meant Spad there before he fought Dorin. He was a really slick fighter, really was...very good technically and excellent speed. I know here NEVER fought too far from pittsburgh so a lot of you may never have seen him fight. He really had some talent but he had soooooooo many personal issues. Jail might have straightened him out...but I can't think of any fighter that has went to prision and come back better.


Here's his boxrec is anyone interested: http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=006517

He was supposed to fight on the Tyson show

Really really glad that Spady is coming back.

He was one of my favorite fighters coming up.

In reality...he's been gone a really really long time...& who knows how he took care of his body while he was in the joint...boot camp...whatever.

Maybe he can come back...maybe he can't.

I for one...hope that he can.

I'm sure that he'll have some serious rust to work off...but I honestly think that he can do it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

Really really glad that Spady is coming back.

He was one of my favorite fighters coming up.

In reality...he's been gone a really really long time...& who knows how he took care of his body while he was in the joint...boot camp...whatever.

Maybe he can come back...maybe he can't.

I for one...hope that he can.

I'm sure that he'll have some serious rust to work off...but I honestly think that he can do it.

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WackOff3205 any news if they packed his fudge while in jail? If anyone would know it'd be you..... ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

Really really glad that Spady is coming back.

He was one of my favorite fighters coming up.

In reality...he's been gone a really really long time...& who knows how he took care of his body while he was in the joint...boot camp...whatever.

Maybe he can come back...maybe he can't.

I for one...hope that he can.

I'm sure that he'll have some serious rust to work off...but I honestly think that he can do it.

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You diss James Toney because you think he's a prick and you want to see Spadafora come back and are glad wouldn't Spadafora be a little bit more of one? How many chances has that guy had?

Never really bought into Spadafora, a decent titleholder but he would have had to really had careful matchmaking to hold onto the belt. He would have had to of avoided Corrales, Casamayor, most of all Castillo to hold on to it. How he managed to get a draw against Dorin is beyond me, I thought I was generous giving him 4 rounds. At 140 the only beltholder he could beat IMO is Urango but Hatton will get there first. Nothing personal, hope he gets his shit together, but just as a boxer I never thought he was that great, just a good boxer.

I really like Spadafora, he's a vicious, relentless fighter who is hanging-on-the-seat-of-your-pants to watch. Only good things can come of him being back in the frame. I'd like to see Zab fight him, I think he's the kinda guy Zab would look good against.