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 Spadafora Needs to Get Back in the Ring…Now
By Calvin Watkins (Sep 29, 2006)
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Paul Spadafora is trying to save his life.
It’s a life that had him on top of the world a few years ago. He was the IBF lightweight champion with seven successful title defenses. Then, it all went downhill.
In 2003, Pittsburgh’s Spadafora, after a fight with girlfriend, shot her in the chest at a gas station. The woman, trying to protect Spadafora, denied he shot her. Some witnesses saw differently and Spadafora admitted to shooting her. He served 13 months in different correctional facilities until his parole in May.
Now he’s returning to the ring, we think.
He was scheduled to fight October 20 in Youngstown, Ohio, but missed a scheduled news conference on Thursday announcing the bout. Spadafora has yet to sign a contract, but he’d better because according to reports out of Pittsburgh, the kid is broke.
This, after he earned nearly $3 million in the ring, with most of the money going on wild spending and lawyers.
It’s a shame because Spadafora was always one of those fighters who are good people but just boxed for a living. He lived a hard life and discovered boxing was his only way out.
But the reality is that Spadafora couldn’t handle the pressures of being a star in Pittsburgh. He went from fighting in hotel ballrooms to fighting on HBO. Spadafora also had a major problem with the bottle. He’s an admitted alcoholic who is trying to stay sober. At times, it seems alcohol was the root of Spadafora’s problems.
Not everybody can handle the pressures of success; just ask Mike Tyson, who like Spadafora, is broke and now fighting in exhibitions. It’s Tyson headlining this Oct. 20 show that’s allowed Spadafora to fight close to his hometown.
It doesn’t matter who Spadafora fights, and promoters didn’t tell members of the media who the opponent will be. What matters is that Spadafora is doing something positive with his life and that’s fighting.
We hope Spadafora has learned that those wild and crazy days of a few years ago should be out of his system. He needs to calm down.
Spadafora is a quality fighter, not Hall of Fame material, but exciting enough for people to watch, especially in Pittsburgh. Spadafora should sign that contract today and step into the ring and fight to save his life.
One of the things Tyson said that was so true about the sport was this, “I learned life is short and very unpredictable. You have to stay humble and not get too emotional. I’m trying to keep my cool.”
If Tyson keeps his cool, then Spadafora should too.
Rematch? What rematch
I hope people are happy that the WBC wants Samuel Peter to fight James Toney again, but this is bad.
Peter defeated Toney in a close fight, but many in the fight community, media and fans mainly, thought the decision was wrong. Toney’s people wanted a rematch and it looks as if the WBC will give it to them. I hope all those people are happy.
Peter should fight somebody else, like the WBC champ, instead of Toney again.
Just how many chances will Toney get to win a heavyweight belt?
It’s time to move forward.
Hopkins to fight at heavyweight?
There’s a great interview with former middleweight and light heavyweight champ Bernard Hopkins on our website. Hopkins is retired, but hinted he could return at heavyweight and challenge for the belt.
I think Hopkins would bring interest to the division and the sport, which is dying in the mainstream media.
Kevin Kelley is fighting again
Kevin Kelley is a good fighter, but he should retire. Yet on Thursday night in San Antonio, Kelley, 39, won a unanimous decision over Carlos Hernandez. Not bad.
We’ve enjoyed Kelley’s ring skills and miss his commentary on television. I just hope Kelley doesn’t get hurt in the ring by a younger, better opponent.
For Questions or Comments E-Mail Calvin at
calvintex@aol.com
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