Vinny Pazienza vs. Abdel Marbi ~ "The Paz Gets Sliced Up In Italy"

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ December 1, 1984

Sports Palace ~ Milan, Italy

Vinny Pazienza ~ 14-0-0 {12 KO's}
vs.
Abdelkader Marbi ~ 25-3-0 {15 KO's}

American Hot Shot ~ Vinny Pazienza is fighting on the undercard of the Mike McCallum vs. Luigi Minchillo - WBA Light-Middleweight Championship,
with the bout televised on NBC Sportsworld.

It was to be a 'showcase bout' in Italy for the bragging Pazienza, as this bout was to be televised.

The 22 year-old Pazienza has entered the Top 20 in the Lightweight Division, and Vinny is chirping that he's ready for anybody
in the Top 5. Vinny with his wide-open aggressive boxing-style is expected to overwhelm his opponent.

His opponent, Abdelkader 'Abdel' Marbi.

Abdel is a 30 year-old Moroccan based out of France. Abdel is an 'under-rated' boxer/counter-puncher with a record of 25-3-0 {15 KO's},
and is ranked as the #3 French Light-Welterweight.

During the Press Conference, Vinny was his typical way. Bragging and chirping that he was the 'future' of the Lightweight Division, and that
he would destroy this 'second-rate' Moroccan.

Vinny Pazienza >
"This guy {Abdel Marbi} is not even good enough to be my sparring-partner. He's strictly a lame-ass. No punch, and a jab-and-clinch style.
I'll eat him alive."

Weights
* Vinny Pazienza ..... 137 lbs.
* Abdel Marbi ......... 138 lbs.