The Return of the Pittsburgh Kid
 By Jason Petock (Nov 28, 2006)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a rich tradition that is deeply rooted in historical relevance. The large boat that was used for the Lewis and Clark expedition was built there in 1803. The first World Series was played at Exposition Park on the north side in 1903. Distinguished architect and visionary Frank Lloyd Wright designed Fallingwater in 1938, the most famous and well known private home overlooking a waterfall found nestled in the Pennsylvania highlands. Pittsburgh has always made its mark in athletic significance over the years as well and maintains a strong foundation in regards to sports having produced such legends as baseball’s Ken Griffey, Sr., football’s Johnny Unitas and boxing’s very own Billy Conn. Conn was the original ‘Pittsburgh Kid’ so it’s no surprise that his beloved city would turn out another ‘Kid’ in his wake. The ‘Pittsburgh Kid’ of our generation is Paul Spadafora, 39-0-1 (16), and ladies and gentlemen, he
has returned after a brief hiatus, hopefully to add a new spin on things.
Prior to his incarceration back in 2004, Spadafora was on the rise and had maintained prominent status as the IBF lightweight champion. His bloody battle back in 2003 with Leonard Dorin, 21-0 (7) (at the time of the Spadafora fight) at the Petersen Center in Pittsburgh gave everyone a different glimpse of a fighter who used to solely rely on ring ingenuity and boxing prowess only to turn a new leaf in that bout, going toe-to-toe with the rugged Romanian. All the cards appeared to be falling into place for ‘Spaddy’ and he could literally do no wrong. However, sometimes the pressures of fame and fortune succumb to the realities of existence. Such was the case for Spadafora, it seems.
But now, he is being given a second chance; a second shot at redemption. And his first test in his penance came in the form of Frankie ‘Panchito’ Zepeda, 16-4 (9), at the Avalon Hotel in Erie, Pennsylvania. Spadafora returned to the ring with ‘Comeback Kid’ emblazoned on his trunks and he made good on his new moniker. Stabbing Zepeda with accurate jabs in the opening round, he caused Zepeda to be bloodied and went on a headhunting offensive in the middle of the ring apron, which is usually counter to his overtly defensive style that we have seen from him in fights past. The bout was stopped at 2:07 of the fifth round after Spadafora ended things with a blistering right hand that provoked referee Rick Steigerwald to put an end to the action as Zepeda was clearly stunned and wobbled.
This wasn’t a bad showing at all for Paul ‘The Pittsburgh Kid’ Spadafora, especially seeing this was his first fight since July 17, 2004, when he defeated Francisco Campos at the Chevrolet Amphitheatre, in Pittsburgh, also by TKO victory only that time in ten. Referee Rick Steigerwald oversaw that bout as well. Typically after such a long layoff, many fighters don’t come back with such a formidable performance and while Zepeda has had notable wins over the last couple of years against rudimentary fighters like Anthony Cobb, 4-33-3 (2), and Lee ‘The Quickster’ Cargle, 35-111-1 (17), this still isn’t a knock on Spadafora’s ledger and he is only going to recapture lost time with future wins and more promising match-ups.
So welcome back. ‘Pittsburgh Kid.’ Your city and boxing fans look forward to what you can accomplish in 2007. Let’s just hope that for our benefit and, more importantly your own, that Iron City and the rest of the world don’t lose you once more.
Welcome home, Champ.
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