Vinny Paz
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- For the Philadelphia hip-hop artist of the similar name, see Jedi Mind Tricks or Vinnie Paz (rapper)
| Vinny Paz
www.vinnypaz.com [1] |
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| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Vincenzo Edward Pazienza |
| Nickname(s) | The Pazmanian Devil |
| Rated at | Lightweight |
| Nationality | Italian American |
| Birth date | December 16, 1962 |
| Birth place | Cranston, RI |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 60 |
| Wins | 50 |
| Wins by KO | 30 |
| Losses | 10 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
Vinny Paz, formerly Vinny Pazienza (born Vincenzo Edward Pazienza on December 16, 1962 in Cranston, Rhode Island) is an Italian-American former boxer and world champion in the lightweight and light middleweight weight classes.
After building a reputation around the east coast and a streak of wins over people like Roberto Elizondo (KO in 10), the Rhode Island native's first title try came on June 7, 1987 in Providence, where he outpointed Greg Haugen over 15 rounds to become the IBF's world lightweight champion. The pair would meet two more times, Haugen recovering the title in an immediate rematch, but Paz prevailing in a 10-round decision in their rubber match in 1990.
Paz failed in title tries in the light welterweight division in 1988 against WBC world champion Roger Mayweather and in 1989 against WBO champion Hector Camacho.
After his third fight with Haugen, Paz's career became an inspiration to many. In 1991 he moved to the light middleweight division and beat WBA champion Gilbert Dele with an 11-round knockout win in Providence.
He vacated the title when he was involved in a car crash and doctors told him he would never fight again. But, after 3 months in the hospital and wearing a neck brace, he made one of boxing's incredible comebacks[citation needed], returning to the ring against his doctor's recommendations and beating future light middleweight champion Luis Santana by a 10-round decision.
Paz beat Roberto Duran by decision twice and lost a title try at world super middleweight champion Roy Jones Jr. in the 1990s. He inflicted prospect Dana Rosenblatt's first loss (a knockout in 4 rounds) and lost a 12-round decision to Rosenblatt in a rematch during this period also. During this decade he also changed his last name from Pazienza to Paz.
In 2002, Paz lost to WBC world super middleweight champion Eric Lucas in his last world title try.
Paz retired after a 2004 unanimous decision in ten rounds over Tocker Pudwill. In 60 fights, Paz had 50 wins.
He has been popular from the time he broke into the boxing scene up until his sun setting days of the late 1990s and early 2000s. He also refereed the Brawl for All at WrestleMania XV between Bart Gunn and Butterbean. As of December 2007, he is marketing a DVD that showcases all of his boxing highlights.
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| Preceded by Greg Haugen |
IBF Lightweight Champion 7 June 1987 – 6 February 1988 |
Succeeded by Greg Haugen |
| Preceded by Gilbert Dele |
WBA Light Middleweight boxing champion 1 Oct 1991– 1992 Vacated, due to injury |
Succeeded by Julio César Vásquez |
