Vinny Paz

For the Philadelphia hip-hop artist of the similar name, see Jedi Mind Tricks and Vinnie Paz.

Vinny Paz
Paz in 1994
Statistics
Real name	Vincenzo Edward Pazienza
Nickname(s)	The Pazmanian Devil
Rated at	Lightweight Light middleweight Super middleweight
Height	5 ft 7 ¹⁄₂ in (171 cm)
Reach	70 ¹⁄₂ in (179 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	(1962-12-16) December 16, 1962 Cranston, Rhode Island, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	60
Wins	50
Wins by KO	30
Losses	10

Vinny Paz (born Vincenzo Edward Pazienza; December 16, 1962), formerly Vinny Pazienza, is an American former professional boxer who held world titles at lightweight and light middleweight. The 2016 film Bleed for This is based on his comeback from a spinal injury.

Early life

His mother was Louise Pazienza (1927–2002), from Cranston, Rhode Island.^[1]

Career

In the 1980s, Vinny Pazienza built a reputation along the East Coast by putting together an impressive streak of wins over fighters Melvin Paul (KO 2), Joe Frazier Jr. (TKO 7), Harry Arroyo (UD 10), Nelson Bolanos (TKO 6) and Roberto Elizondo (KO in 10). His first world title fight came on June 7, 1987, in Providence, RI, where he outpointed Greg Haugen over 15 rounds to become the IBF World Lightweight Champion. The pair would meet two more times: Haugen recovering the title in an immediate rematch, and Pazienza prevailing in a 10-round decision in their rubber match in 1990.

Pazienza failed in title tries in the junior welterweight division: in 1988 against WBC World Champion Roger Mayweather and, in 1990, versus both WBO Champion Hector "Macho" Camacho and WBA World Champion Loreto Garza. It was during this time period that Pazienza was having difficulty making weight for his fights. After the Roger Mayweather fight, Pazienza collapsed in the dressing room from near-fatal dehydration and was rushed to the hospital. After the loss to Garza, Pazienza decided to move up to a more natural weight class.

In 1991, Pazienza made the move to the junior middleweight division and in his first fight at this weight class he won the USBA Championship against Ron Amundsen in a 12-round decision. Pazienza looked faster, healthier and stronger. He then received a shot at the WBA World Title and was successful in defeating the WBA World Jr. Middleweight Champion Gilbert Dele with a 12th-round TKO win in Providence, RI. With this world title win, Pazienza became the second fighter in boxing history to win both the lightweight and junior middleweight world championships. Pazienza was considered the underdog going into the fight but delivered what many believe was the finest performance of his career.

Shortly after winning the junior middleweight world title, Pazienza was forced to relinquish the title due to a serious car accident in which his neck was broken. Doctors informed him he might never walk again and would certainly never fight again. Pazienza had to wear a medical device called a Halo, a circular metal brace screwed into the skull in four spots and propped up with four metal rods. Pazienza had the Halo screwed to his skull for 3 months, during which time he maintained a workout regime--disobeying the doctors' orders. Pazienza returned to the ring thirteen months after the accident and beat future WBC World Jr. Middleweight Champion Luis Santana via a 10-round decision. It is considered the greatest comeback in boxing history. Verdi Productions acquired the rights to this story, and in 2016 the feature film Bleed for This premiered, starring Miles Teller as Pazienza and Aaron Eckhart as Kevin Rooney with Martin Scorsese attached as an executive producer.

After the Santana fight, Pazienza then went on to defeat Brett Lally by a 6th-round TKO and then, in another TKO, beat the former world champion Lloyd Honeyghan in the 10th round. Pazienza went on to win the vacant IBO Middleweight World Title in 1993 with an 11th-round KO over Dan Sherry.

Pazienza also went on to beat Roberto Duran twice, both via decision, with the IBC Super Middleweight Title on the line both times. In June 1995, Roy Jones, Jr. vs. Vinny Pazienza, a fight billed as The Devil and Mr. Jones, resulted in a loss in the world title bid against IBF World Super Middleweight Champion Roy Jones, Jr. In 1996, Pazienza inflicted then-prospect Dana Rosenblatt's only loss (a knockout in 4 rounds) to win the vacant WBU Super Middleweight World Championship.

In early 2001, Pazienza legally changed his last name to Paz.

In 2002, Paz lost to WBC World Super Middleweight Champion Eric Lucas in what would be his last shot at a world title.

In 2004, Paz fought in his last fight, defeating Tocker Pudwill via 10-round unanimous decision. His record stands at 50-10, with 30 wins by knockout and five world titles (the IBF Lightweight Championship, WBA Jr. Middleweight Championship, IBO Super Middleweight Championship, IBC Super Middleweight Championship and the WBU Super Middleweight Championship). He also won the USBA title.

Outside of boxing, Paz was a guest star on the TV series Police Academy, a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, was featured on The Montell Williams Show, served as a guest security guard on an episode of The Jerry Springer Show, and refereed the Brawl for All fight at WrestleMania XV between Bart Gunn and Butterbean.^[2]

Legal issues

Paz has been arrested on a variety of charges, including alcohol-related offenses, domestic violence, passing bad checks, and disorderly conduct.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Professional boxing record

50 Wins (30 knockouts, 20 decisions), 10 Losses (3 knockouts, 7 decisions)
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Win	50-10	Tocker Pudwill	UD	10	27/03/2004	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	95-93, 95-93, 96-93.
Loss	49-10	Eric Lucas	UD	12	01/03/2002	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	WBC World Super Middleweight Title. 112-117, 111-117, 110-119.
Win	49-9	Levan Easley	UD	10	07/12/2001	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
Win	48-9	Tim Shocks	UD	10	21/09/2001	Rhodes-on-the Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island, United States
Win	47-9	Pat Lawlor	KO	2	27/07/2001	Rhodes-on-the Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island, United States
Loss	46-9	Aaron Davis	TKO	8	09/02/2001	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 1:48 of the eighth round.
Loss	46-8	Dana Rosenblatt	SD	12	05/11/1999	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	IBO World Super Middleweight Title. 113-115, 113-114, 115-112.
Win	46-7	Esteban Cervantes	SD	10	25/06/1999	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	96-94, 97-93, 94-96.
Win	45-7	Joseph Kiwanuka	UD	10	09/04/1999	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	96-94, 97-93, 97-93.
Win	44-7	Undra White	TKO	9	08/01/1999	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 2:55 of the ninth round.
Win	43-7	Arthur Allen	UD	10	06/11/1998	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	96-94, 98-93, 97-93.
Win	42-7	Glenwood Brown	MD	10	26/07/1998	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	98-91, 96-93, 94-94.
Loss	41-7	Herol Graham	UD	12	06/12/1997	Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom	WBC International Super Middleweight Title. 113-116, 113-118, 112-117.
Win	41-6	Dana Rosenblatt	TKO	4	23/08/1996	Bally's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	WBU World Super Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:13 of the fourth round.
Loss	40-6	Roy Jones, Jr.	TKO	6	24/06/1995	Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	IBF World Super Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:58 of the sixth round.
Win	40-5	Roberto Duran	UD	12	14/01/1995	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	IBC World Super Middleweight Title. 117-111, 116-112, 118-110.
Win	39-5	Rafael Williams	UD	10	08/11/1994	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	96-94, 98-92, 96-94.
Win	38-5	Roberto Duran	UD	12	25/06/1994	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	IBC World Super Middleweight Title. 117-113, 117-112, 117-112.
Win	37-5	Jacques LeBlanc	UD	10	05/04/1994	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	100-90, 100-90, 100-89.
Win	36-5	Dan Sherry	KO	11	28/12/1993	Ritz Carlton, Aspen, Colorado, United States	IBO World Super Middleweight Title.
Win	35-5	Robbie Sims	UD	10	26/10/1993	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	97-93, 98-93, 99-93.
Win	34-5	Lloyd Honeyghan	TKO	10	26/06/1993	Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 0:56 of the tenth round.
Win	33-5	"Irish" Brett Lally	RTD	6	02/03/1993	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	Lally retired at 3:00 of the sixth round.
Win	32-5	Luis Santana	UD	10	15/12/1992	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	100-90, 100-89, 100-88.
Win	31-5	Gilbert Dele	TKO	12	01/10/1991	Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States	WBA World Light Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:10 of the 12th round.
Win	30-5	Ron Amundsen	UD	12	02/07/1991	Providence, Rhode Island, United States	IBF USBA Light Middleweight Title. 118-111, 117-111, 118-110.
Loss	29-5	Loreto Garza	DQ	11	01/12/1990	Arco Arena, Sacramento, California, United States	WBA World Light Middleweight Title. Garza disqualified at 2:59 of the 11th round.
Win	29-4	Greg Haugen	UD	10	05/08/1990	Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	96-94, 97-93, 98-92.
Loss	28-4	Hector 'Macho' Camacho	UD	12	03/02/1990	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	WBO World Light Welterweight Title. 116-117, 112-115, 109-119.
Win	28-3	Eddie VanKirk	TKO	5	27/11/1989	Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 2:41 of the fifth round.
Win	27-3	Vinnie Burgese	TKO	10	11/06/1989	Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 1:05 of the tenth round.
Win	26-3	Jake Carollo	TKO	2	14/04/1989	Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 1:58 of the second round.
Loss	25-3	Roger Mayweather	UD	12	07/11/1988	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	WBC World Light Welterweight Title. 108-118, 110-117, 110-117.
Win	25-2	Rick Kaiser	TKO	3	04/10/1988	Park West, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	24-2	Felix Dubray	TKO	4	27/06/1988	Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Loss	23-2	Greg Haugen	UD	15	06/02/1988	Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	IBF World Lightweight Title. 138-147, 140-145, 138-147.
Win	23-1	Greg Haugen	UD	15	07/06/1987	Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States	IBF World Lightweight Title. 144-141, 144-141, 144-141.
Win	22-1	Roberto Elizondo	TKO	10	08/02/1987	Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 2:56 of the tenth round.
Win	21-1	Roger Brown	TKO	4	08/11/1986	San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States
Win	20-1	Nelson Bolanos	TKO	6	18/09/1986	Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 2:48 of the sixth round.
Win	19-1	Harry Arroyo	UD	10	18/05/1986	Providence, Rhode Island, United States	49-41, 50-39, 49-38.
Win	18-1	Joe Frazier, Jr.	TKO	7	05/02/1986	Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Win	17-1	Melvin Paul	TKO	2	26/11/1985	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	16-1	Jeff Bumpus	UD	10	18/09/1985	Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	7-2, 7-3, 9-1.
Win	15-1	Antoine Lark	TKO	6	27/03/1985	Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 2:46 of the sixth round.
Loss	14-1	Abdelkader Marbi	TKO	5	01/12/1984	Palazzo Dello Sport, Milan, Italy
Win	14-0	Bruno Simili	TKO	3	17/11/1984	Riva del Garda, Italy
Win	13-0	Rich McCain	UD	8	29/08/1984	Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	12-0	Mike Golden	PTS	8	15/04/1984	Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	11-0	David Bell	TKO	4	26/02/1984	Beaumont Civic Center, Beaumont, Texas, United States
Win	10-0	Jose Ortiz	KO	6	14/12/1983	Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, United States
Win	9-0	Emilio Diaz	TKO	3	02/12/1983	Warwick, Rhode Island, United States
Win	8-0	Robert Stevenson	KO	1	27/10/1983	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	7-0	Jim Zelinski	TKO	2	24/09/1983	Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, United States
Win	6-0	Ricardo Moreno	TKO	3	09/09/1983	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	5-0	Rafael Alicia	TKO	2	31/08/1983	Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 2:30 of the second round.
Win	4-0	Eddie Carberry	TKO	2	16/08/1983	Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	3-0	Patrick Dangerfield, Jr.	KO	2	10/07/1983	Caesars Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	2-0	Keith McCoy	KO	3	30/06/1983	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	1-0	Alfredo Rivera	TKO	4	26/05/1983	Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

References

↑ Death Index accessed 12-26-2015
↑ "WWE News and Pro Wrestling Coverage Since 1987". PWTorch. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
↑ "Vinny Paz pleads no contest to disorderly conduct; assault charge dismissed", 11 Sep 2012,
↑ "Bad Boy Boxer: Paz picked up on warrant" "Hot Boxing News", 23 Feb 2003.
↑ "Vinny Paz Arrested for Domestic Abuse" Boxing Scene, 31 July 2007

External links

Preceded by Greg Haugen	IBF Lightweight Champion 7 June 1987 – 6 February 1988	Succeeded by Greg Haugen
Preceded by Gilbert Dele	WBA Light Middleweight Champion 1 October 1991– 1992 Vacated, due to injury	Succeeded by Julio César Vásquez

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