'Pittsburgh Kid' Spadafora wants to prove 40 is the new 30

Spadafora appears ready for another world title after he totally dominated Hector Velazquez, a three-time challenger for world titles, and has fought Manny Pacquiao.
Spadafora made his opponent wait in the ring alone for nearly 15 minutes before “The Pittsburgh Kid” and his entourage led by Monty Meza Clay, Mark and Tommy Yankello, Kevin Corlew and about 15 others from Mc­Kees Rocks.
Velazquez, from Tijuana, Mexico, seemed to be more interested in the Rivers Casino’s amphitheater water than landing an effective punch against Spadafora through the first two rounds.  His focus increased in round number three after Spadafora hit him with a right hook, a straight left and a head butt that opened a cut above Velazquez’s right eye.
Velazquez turned filthy dirty after that, but Spaddy was on a different level than his opponent and won every round.
Judges Alexis Pierce and George Kachulis scored it 79-73 in favor of Spadafora and Dana DePaolo had it 80-72 to complete the unanimous decision.
Toward the end of the 1990’s and into the early 2000’s, defense gradually began to take on a more prominent role in boxing, largely thanks to Spadafora and “Sweet Pea” Pernell Whitaker.
Spaddy put Pittsburgh boxing back on the map in 1995 and is known around town as “Pittsburgh’s fourth franchise” after the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates.
Many people feel that he is the heir apparent to the pound-for-pound throne—a throne being kept warm for him by Floyd “Money” Mayweather.
“Paul paid his dues.  He fought for me as an amateur and I was with him a lot during his pro career,” said Jimmy Cvetic.  “Paul has been in the ring before with Floyd Mayweather and Paul beat him when they sparred together.  I know this.  Paul will fight anybody, anywhere, anytime.  He’s never ducked nobody.”
Spadafora turns 39 in September and he wants to regain his World Champion Title before his 40th birthday.
Players and coaches sometimes utter the phrase “peaking at the right time.”  While that might sound cliché, the words have plenty of meaning, because it could describe Youngstown, Ohio’s Jake “The Bull” Giuriceo.
Giuriceo, 17-2-1, 4 KO’s, knocked out Travis Hartman, of Orlando, Fla, in the 4th round.  Both fighters fought their hearts out, but “The Bull” was able to hurt Hartman in every round.  Hartman was hurt so bad in round four that his trainer might have to get “Tommy John surgery” after throwing in the towel.
“I want to thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ,” said Giuriceo.  “And my opponent also knows the Lord and that’s great.  We prayed together after the fight.
Tongues were wagging as Ashley Mittenzwey and the other ring card girls moved to the latest hip-hop beats.
Other winners Antonio “Carita” Nieves, of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Derrick Lambert, of West Virginia; Eric “The Baby Face Assassin” Johnson, of Plaquemine, LA.
Popular Ronell Green, of Wheeling, W.Va., did not fight because his opponent did not show up. Joseliz Cepeda, of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, failed to show perhaps because he was disappointed that the Pittsburgh Pirates were out of town.
“After I defend my title I hope to come back here to promote another fight,” said Jones Jr.  “Believe me you won’t a more picturesque venue in this country than Rivers Casino.”
The Rivers Casino opened in 2009 and has been named “Best Overall Gaming Resort” in Pennsylvania by Casino Player magazine.