Perhaps it's a shocker that an undefeated (41-0) world Lightweight Champion has a name that escapes some of the newbies in our sport.  If Spadafora's name sounds foreign to many out there - it should.  Since capturing the IBF Lightweight title in '02, Spaddie has averaged one fight a year.  Yet, for us die-hards we're quite familiar with "The Pittsburg Kid."   Or perhaps he should be named "The Pittsburg Intrigue..." 

And "why" you ask hasn't this undefeated terror in the Lightweight ranks etched a comfortable notch on our PPV tubes by now? 

Well, where do we start? 

• In '03 Spadafora posted $50,000 bond to stay out of jail for shooting his girlfriend while at a gas station. 

• In '04 he was arrested again for driving away from a pursuing cop - while drunk. 

• The next year he was thrown back in jail for failing a drug test - cocaine.  

• Then, in '05 he did another tour of prison duty for shooting his girlfriend. 

A series of parole violations ended with him finally returning last April where he won his 41st consecutive bout, out- boxing a journeyman from the Midwest.

In many ways Paul Spadafora is a similar case to countless other journeymen in our troubled sport.  It's a well known fact that "the streets" are home to numerous - if not hundreds of highly talented boxers.  Once in a blue moon the same streets get a grip on an undefeated world Champion. 

Spadafora is one of those cases.

In the ring Spadafora is as elusive as he is crafty, as smooth as he is slick.  Countless naysayers said he'd never make it in the pro ranks since he lacks the KO power to back up his finesse.  Paulie has countered their rumblings however, with a perfect 41-0 record.  Unfortunately, he counts himself out every time he is tempted by the lure of the streets.  More than running with the wrong group of guys however, it seems that Spadafora's primary demon is the bottle.

He's been known to have drank two cases of beer in one sitting while in high school. 

In fact, boxing and alcohol seem to be the two havens for this 9th grade drop-out turned world Champion.  So far, he's immersed himself in both worlds.  An undefeated world champion - whose primary nemesis fits in his own hand, like a gun.   

I have always been intrigued by a person who can master the art of winning and losing all in the same breath, continuously - through life.

Let's hope that Paulie masters the former this time, for good.

Ricky Ray Taylor

www.BoxerDRILLZ.com

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