Vinny Pazienza
| 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 |
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.
His mother was Louise Pazienza (1927–2002), from Cranston, Rhode Island.
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.
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