ERIE — Paul Spadafora remained unbeaten by stringing journeyman Shad Howard along for eight rounds at the Avalon Hotel on Friday.
Spadafora was judged an 80-72 winner on all three judges’ cards in just his third fight in the last four years in front of a crowd of 1,004 people.
“I got the win. I’m back and I’m ready to move on,” Spadafora, 32. “I’m definitely back. I feel great. This was a great chance for me to get back in the flow of things and get back in the top 10.
“I definitely feel young. I feel great.”
Howard landed a few blows, but never really threatened Spadafora.
Spadafora, who has a torn ligament in his knee, said he hit his stride in the fourth or fifth round.
“The more the fight went on the better I got,” Spadafora said. “I felt like I was back in the mix again.”
Friday’s bout was the first fight for Spadafora since he won a split decision over Oisin Fagan at Mt. Pleasant, Mich. on March 9, 2007.
Spadafora (41-0-1) has said he hopes Friday’s bout will rejuvenate his professional career, which included the International Boxing Federation’s lightweight title from 1999 until 2003. In 2003, he vacated his IBF lightweight title to move up a weight class.
In October of 2003, Spadafora was arrested for allegedly shooting his girlfriend in the chest during an alcohol-fueled argument. On Feb. 23, 2005 he was sentenced to 21 to 60 months in prison for the shooting of his girlfriend.
Spadafora has been living in Erie for the last year and a half and returned to the ring in November 2006 when he beat Jesus Francisco Zepeda in round five at the Avalon Hotel.
Earlier in the evening, Brooklyn, New York’s Ronson Frank took on Columbus, Ohio’s Anatoly Dudchenko in a bloody, six-round light heavyweight bout. Frank won by unanimous decision. It was his 11th straight victory.
Johnstown’s Andres Taylor won his pro debut with an unanimous decision over Cleveland’s Ryan Thompson in one of the night’s three heavyeight fights.
In an earlier heavyweight bout, Warren, Ohio’s Zack Page beat Akron’s Chuckie Brown by a unanimous decision.
And before that, Otgonbayer Daivii of Arlington, Virgnia battled to a draw with Youngstown, Ohio’s Joshua Harris.
Also last night, Erie’s Rocky Mullooly squared off with Cleveland’s Brian Cook in an unscored heavyweight exhibition.
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Spadafora stays unbeaten in comeback bout
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BOYS BASKETBALL: Cardinals clinch Region 3 title with win over Linesville
COCHRANTON — What a difference three weeks makes.
Earlier this season, Cochranton enjoyed one of its best outings of the year in a 74-27 rout over Linesville. That night everything went right for the Cardinals. -
COLLEGE WRESTLING: Honeycutt, James pull out win for Scots
EDINBORO — Basketball has buzzer-beaters. Baseball has walk-off home runs. Football has game-winning field goals.
Heavyweight Ernest James displayed wrestling’s version of a final-moment finish on Friday during the Edinboro wrestling team’s 18-15 victory over Michigan State at Edinboro University’s McComb Fieldhouse. -
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Indians notch win despite shooting, rebounding woes
CONNEAUTVILLE — Many believe strange things happen when there’s a full moon in the sky. Perhaps they happen even a few days later.
Conneaut Valley shot under 24 percent from the field and was out-rebounded 32-20 on Thursday night. But the Indians found a way as they wrapped up at least a share of the Region 3 girls basketball title with a 36-23 win over Cochranton. -
WRESTLING: Close decisions push Bears past Blue Devils
CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS — Non-region wrestling foes Union City and Cambridge Springs seemed to want to savor nearly every second of their respective regular season finales.
Going head-to-head Thursday night, eight of the 12 contested bouts went the distance; seven of them were won by decision; and five of those seven were decided by two points or less. -
Maplewood could be getting a Little Gridders program
It’s still in the early stages, but Maplewood football could be welcoming a new team into its community come August.
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Lady Scots roar back vs. Knights
Edinboro had trailed just once at halftime heading into Wednesday night’s Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference women’s basketball showdown with Gannon.
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Lancers roll through MASH wrestlers
It was the Meadville seniors’ party, but they were the only ones that really got to enjoy it, as the Bulldogs’ two 12th-graders were MASH’s only winners on the mat during a 56-15 loss to a talented General McLane squad on Wednesday at the House of Thrills.
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Farell beats Meadville
The Meadville boys basketball team hits the road on Friday, traveling to Grove City.
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Panthers earn huge win
ne of the perks of playing boys basketball in Region 4 is that what you do during the first month and a half of the season can, if you’re lucky, be forgotten. It’s those games within the region that matter the most.
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MASH swimming falls to Lakers
The Meadville swim team faced one of its last big challenges of the season against Mercyhurst Prep at the Meadville Recreation Complex on Monday and, early on, both the boys and the girls were up to the challenge. After the diving break, however, the Lakers put the meet away.
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BOYS BASKETBALL: Cardinals clinch Region 3 title with win over Linesville






