Up Close with PSR
Paul Spadafora
By Mike Migliore and Wendy Sprouse

McKees-Rocks native Paul Spadafora was the IBF lightweight champion from 1999 to 2003, when he relinquished the belt to move up to the junior welterweight division. The Pittsburgh Kid got off to a quick start in the higher weight class, knocking out Costa Rica's Francisco Campos in three rounds. His career was derailed just a few months later, however, when he was arrested in the shooting of his girlfriend. Sixteen months later he was sentenced to 21 to 60 months in prison for the shooting, which PSR chronicled in the June 2005 issue. Last November, sober and out of jail, Spaddy returned to the ring after a 32-month layoff to stop Jesus Francisco Zepeda in five rounds in Erie, PA. Mike Migliore and Wendy Sprouse spoke to Spadafora at the Avalon Hotel in Erie.

PSR: How difficult was it to get prepared, both mentally and physically, to get back in the ring after such a long layoff?

Spadafora: It was not hard at all. Physically I have kept myself in great condition. The boot camp program in prison stressed physical conditioning and I have always enjoyed working out and staying in shape. Mentally I have always been anxious to get back into boxing. It is something that I love to do so there has never been a problem in that regard.

PSR: In what weight class do you plan to fight?

PS: I will probably end up in the welterweight class. That is from 141 to 147 pounds. I think that is my natural weight at this time and it should be no problem for me to make weight for fights.

PSR: What kind of challenges do you expect in stepping up in weight class?

PS: Usually the boxers who have the most trouble stepping up in weight are the punchers. They hit hard at a lower class but when they step up they find they don't hurt the bigger guys as much. And the bigger guys hit back harder. My style is more defensive and I rely on skill instead of power. As long as I box my kind of match it shouldn't matter what class I'm in.

PSR: There are plenty of interesting match-ups for you in the welterweight division. Who are three fighters you'd like to get bouts with and why do you think you'd like to fight them?

PS: Well I have always wanted to fight Arturo Gatti. Our styles are totally opposite so I think it would be a challenging fight. I think I would beat him and a win over a good fighter like him would really be good for me. Next I would like to fight Ricky Hatten. He gets a lot of attention and is considered a great boxer, but I think I could beat him easily. I once sparred with Floyd Mayweather and I beat him up pretty good. (Editor's note: Mayweather has acknowledged this but claims he was out of shape.) Since then he has avoided any matches with me. I would really like to get in the ring with him. It would be a good fight but I know I can beat him. I would have liked a chance at Oscar De la Hoya, had he beaten Mayweather.

PSR: Not including you, what match would you most like to see happen?

PS: I knew the Mayweather-De la Hoya fight was going to be very good. I figured Floyd would win but either way it can be a good thing for me.

PSR: There have been questions about your management, and rumors about you moving to another trainer and management team. What are your intentions?

PS: I am very happy with my current people. I made a trainer change a while ago, but I have never had a problem with my management or my promoter. They are good people and are helping me get back to business. I am happy with what they've been doing to keep me going.