Spadafora stays unbeaten in comeback bout

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April 28, 2008

By Dominick DiRienzo The Meadville Tribune Mon Apr 28, 2008, 03:45 PM EDT

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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