Hey Pride..
I know em, back when I was hanging around Cranston (had a gf there at the time) I used to go to a gym called Ballettos Boxing on Elmwood Ave(Gary’s gym) I didn’t want to become a professional, I just wanted to box to get into shape. Well, while being there and seeing who comes and goes
like Gary balletto (Great guy and Great boxer) Najee Shaheed (quiet, but respectful, went there to get his workout, and that’s it) and Spina . I got to talk with Spina a few times, he’s a good guy. He has a punch that could hurt a heavyweight too, If you haven’t seen him spar or fight in person, I suggest you take the trip to foxwoods and watch it, ill be there. A funny story, if I was to box professionals I would be a heavyweight (no doubt) I stand at 6’1, 250 (235 my goal). And one day Spina was there, I believe (been like 4 years since this happend) his sparring partner didn’t show up (don’t blame em lol). Well, to make a long story short, to give Spina some ring time, and for me to see what I could handle, I jumped in there for 3 rounds. Worst three rounds of my life lol, he hit me hard, and at will. But he was holding back more than he was hitting. And that was the scary part. 3 rounds later, he didn’t even break a sweat, and I felt like I was ready for a toe tag. Obviously the sparring wasn’t for any type of competition, it was just to keep Spina warmed up for the rest of his work out for the afternoon. I have seen him fight numerous times, he hits HARD, simply said, he hits very hard.

As for fighting tomato cans, he is 17-0, and from New England. Did you expect world title defenses already? Whether people realize it or not, the first half of your career is just about learning. Learning your strong points and weak points, what weight to be at, what style you are Etc..

As far as fighting brinkley, I don’t blame him for taking on a contender guy, success in boxing is all about promotion, and publicity. Don’t kid your self, TALENT ALONE DOESN’T GET YOU TITLE FIGHTS UNTIL YOUR PAST YOUR PRIME!. No one wants to fight the kid, so he takes on a person who was on TV, who made it pretty far into the contender tourney. Spina is making the right moves to get recognized, he moved to Vegas, got a world class trainer, and is fighting a lot.

"Personally don’t like the guy"? None of my business, but is it because of him as a fighter? Or did you ever meet him in person and have a conflict. Because for the time that I knew him, I never get a bad vibe from the guy, so I’m curious why you would want a local guy to get beat on TV someone else?