Vinny Paz

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

Vinny Paz
File:VinnyPaz1994.jpg Paz in 1994
Statistics
Real name	Vincenzo Edward Pazienza
Nickname(s)	"The Pazmanian Devil"
Rated at	Lightweight Light middleweight Super middleweight
Nationality	American
Born	(1962-12-16) December 16, 1962 Cranston, Rhode Island, US
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; December 16, 1962), is an American former boxer and world champion in the lightweight, light middleweight and super middleweight weight classes. He was also the United States Boxing Association's light middleweight champion. He boxed under the nickname of "The Pazmanian Devil". He was the son of Louise Pazienza (1927-2002).

Career

Further information: Roy Jones, Jr. vs. Vinny Pazienza

Vinny Pazienza built a reputation around the East Coast putting together an impressive streak of wins over fighters such as 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 Jr Welterweight division in 1988 against WBC World Champion Roger Mayweather, then on February 3, 1990 vs WBO Champion Hector "Macho" Camacho, and also in 1990 against WBA World Champion Loreto Garza. It was during this period of time Pazienza was having difficulty making weight for his fights. In fact after the Roger Mayweather fight, Pazienza collapsed in the dressing room after the fight. He was rushed to an Emergency Room in Las Vegas and nearly died from severe dehydration. After the loss to Garza, Pazienza decided it was time to move up to a more natural weight class. It has been said that his then Manager Lou Duva did not want Pazienza to move up in weight due to the Duva's having Champions in other weight classes.

In 1991 Pazienza made the move to the Jr Middleweight division and in his first fight at this weight class won the USBA Championship against Ron Amundson in an impressive 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 then undefeated WBA World Jr. Middleweight champion Gilbert Dele with an 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 Jr. Middleweight World Championships. Pazienza was a huge underdog going into the fight and put on what many observers consider to be the finest performance of his career.

Shortly after winning the Jr Middleweight World title, he was forced to vacate it when he was involved in a serious car accident in which Pazienza suffered a broken neck. The Doctors told him he may never walk again and certainly would never fight again. Pazienza had to wear a medical device called a "Halo" which consists of a circular metal brace screwed into the skull in four spots and is propped up with four metal rods. Pazienza had the Halo screwed to his skull for 3 months. While Pazienza's neck was broken he maintained a workout regime against Doctors orders. 13 months after suffering a broken neck Pazienza returned to the ring and beat future WBC World Jr. Middleweight champion Luis Santana via a 10-round decision. It is considered the greatest comeback in Boxing history. The rights to this story have been sold to Verdi Corrente Productions and is set to be turned into a feature film dubbed Bleed for This in 2015. American actor Miles Teller will portray Paz.

After the Santana fight Pazienza then went on to defeat Brett Lally by a 6th round TKO and then TKO'D the former World Champion Lloyd Honeyghan in the 10th round. From there 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. He then went on to lose a World title bid against the IBF World Super Middleweight Champion Roy Jones Jr. in June 1995. In 1996 Pazienza inflicted 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 which he still goes by.

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 ever defeating Tocker Pudwill via 10 round unanimous decision. His record stands at 50-10, with 30 wins by knockout, and won 5 World Titles; the IBF Lightweight Championship, WBA Jr. Middleweight Championship, IBO Middleweight Championship, IBC Super Middleweight Championship and the WBU Super Middleweight Championship. He also won the USBA (United States Boxing Association) title.

Outside of boxing, Paz was a guest star on Police Academy the Series, 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.

Professional boxing record

50 Wins (30 knockouts, 20 decisions), 10 Losses (3 knockouts, 7 decisions) [3]
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 "Ashe" 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 "Ragamuffin Man" 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 "The Cat" 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 "Rabbit" 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 "Tazmanian Devil" 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 "Graham" Golden	PTS	8	15/04/1984	Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	11-0	David "Liberty" Bell	TKO	4	26/02/1984	Beaumont Civic Center, Beaumont, Texas, United States
Win	10-0	Jose "Cheo" Ortiz	KO	6	14/12/1983	Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, United States
Win	9-0	Emilio "Estevez" Diaz	TKO	3	02/12/1983	Warwick, Rhode Island, United States
Win	8-0	Robert "Louis" 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	"Ricky" 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

Criminal charges

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

External links

• Official website
• Professional boxing record for Vinny Paz from BoxRec

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