Paul Spadafora (born September 5, 1975) is a native of Pittsburgh who is a professional boxer. Spadafora was the IBF's world Lightweight champion. September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... (This article is about the city. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The International Boxing Federation, or IBF, is one of many organizations which sanction championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC, WBO, and a dozen or so others. ...

Spadafora is a local hero in Pittsburgh. His fights there attract rather large amounts of considerably loud supporters, both male and female. One of his most loyal fans is his grandfather, who has gone to each of his bouts, both on the amateur and professional ranks.

Spadafora had a fruitful amateur career, winning 75 of the 80 bouts he participated in during that stage of his life as a boxer. His dreams of becoming a professional boxer were almost dashed before he could fight for money for the first time, however: In a confusing incident, Spadafora was shot in the achilles' tendon by a policeman. According to the official reports, Spadafora was travelling in a car that was driven by a friend. When his friend began to go over the speed limit, he was chased by a cop. Seeing as the driver refused to stop, the cop fired a shot, hitting Spadafora. Posterior view of the foot and leg, showing the Achilles tendon (tendo calcaneus). ... Constables and Police Community Support Officer of the Metropolitan Police Royal Canadian Mounted Police A police car of the Saarland Police, Germany Police forces are government organisations charged with the responsibility of maintaining law and order. ...

On October 18 of 1995, Spadafora was able to make his professional debut, with a four round knockout of Steve Maddux. He won a total of four fights in his initial year. October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in Leap years). ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Knockout (K.O.), or simply knock, is a winning criterion of many ringsports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and others. ...

In 1996, he fought eight times, winning all, six by knockout. In 1997, he fought six times, but his percentage of knockout wins dropped considerably, when he only won two of those six bouts by knockout. 1996 (MCMXCVI) is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1998, he continued his winning ways throughout the year, winning all six bouts, three by knockout. 1998(MCMXCVIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ...

He began 1999 by raising his quality of opposition, facing the veteran Rocky Martinez. He won that fight by a unanimous decision, and after one more win, he and Israel Cardona met in Chester, for the I.B.F.'s vacant world crown on August 20. An underdog in the betting lines, Spadafora nevertheless became world champion, defeating Cardona by a 12 round decision. Then, he retained the title with an 11 round knockout of Renato Cornett to finish the year. 1999 (MCMXCIX) is a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The majority of my childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood was spent within spitting distance of this notorious spot. ... August 20 is the 232nd day of the year (233rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

He opened 2000 with a 12 round decision over Victoriano Sosa to retain the title, and subsequently retained the title also against Mike Griffith, by knockout in round 11, and Billy Irwin, with a decision in 12 to close the year. This article is about the year 2000. ...

By the time 2001 rolled in, Spadafora was already a regular on the HBO Boxing television show. He retained the title with a 12 round decision over Joel Perez and won one non title fight that year. 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... HBO Boxing is a successful TV series that has shown many of boxings greatest fights and historic events during the last 30 years. ...

He began 2002 retaining the title by beating Angel Manfredy with a 12 round decision. His only other bout that year was a 12 round decision win over Dennis Holbaek, also with his world title on the line. 2002 (MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Angel Manfredy (born October 30, 1974) is an American-Puerto Rican boxer who has fought in the Junior Welterweight, Lightweight and Junior Lightweight divisions. ...

In 2003, Spadafora and WBA world champion Leonard Dorin decided to meet to try to unify their world titles. They met on May 18, but the fight was declared a draw (tie), both boxers remaining as world champions in their respective organizations. 2003 (MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... World Boxing Association (WBA) is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level. ... Leonard Dorin Doroftei (b. ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (139th in leap years). ...

On June 27 of the same year, Spadafora announced he is relinquishing the IBF world Lightweight title, to move to the Jr. Welterweight division. He said he was having trouble making the Lightweight division's weight limit. June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 187 days remaining. ...

On October 29 of that year, Spadafora was arrested and acussed in the shooting of his girlfriend, Nadine Russo. Russo was shot while in a gas station on October 26. Spadafora was released after posting a $50,000 dollars bond. October 29 is the 302nd day of the year (303rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 63 days remaining. ... October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 66 days remaining. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...

Spadafora next fought on July 17 of 2004, knocking out Costa Rica's Francisco Campos in three rounds. July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On September 7 of that year, he was arrested again, for running a car into a park while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. At the same time, he announced that he and Russo are planning to get married. September 7 is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years). ... A small variety of cars, the most popular kind of automobile. ... In general usage, alcohol (from Arabic al-ghawl الغول) refers almost always to ethanol, also known as grain alcohol, and often to any beverage that contains ethanol (see alcoholic beverage). ... Marriage is a relationship between individuals which has formed the foundation of the family for most societies. ...

On September 29, he had a failed suicide attempt. His personal troubles continued on December 11, when he was arrested after a urine test of his showed traces of cocaine in his body. On December 20, he pleaded guilty of the charges of drug using, and was jailed immediately. September 29 is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years). ... Suicide (from Latin sui caedere, to kill oneself) is the act of willfully ending ones own life; it is sometimes a noun for one who has committed or attempted the act. ... December 11 is the 345th day (346th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Urine is liquid waste excreted by the kidneys and eventually expelled from the body in a process known as urination. ... This article is about the drug Cocaine. ... December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Spadafora has a record of 37 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw, with 15 wins by knockout.

External link

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Can Spadafora rebound from rock bottom?