Born: Dec. 16, 1962
Bouts: 60
Won: 50
Lost: 10
KOs: 30
Induction: 2025
Born Vincenzo Edward Pazienza on December 16, 1962 in Cranston, RI.
He turned pro in 1983 and racked up impressive wins over Jeff Bumphus (W 10), Melvin Paul (TKO 2), Joe Frazier Jr. (TKO 7) and Harry Arroyo (W 10) to earn a lightweight title bout. In 1987, he defeated IBF lightweight champion Greg Haugen via 15-round decision in the first of their three fights to become world champion. Paz lost the belt to Haugen in the rematch and following spirited defeats in light welterweight title bouts with Roger Mayweather and Hector Camacho, he won a 10-round decision over Haugen in their 1990 rubber match. Paz stopped Gilbert Dele with a thrilling 12th round TKO to capture the WBA light middleweight belt in The Ring’s 1991 “Comeback of the Year.” Six weeks after his title-winning effort he fractured his neck in an auto accident and his boxing career appeared to be over. The indomitable Paz defied the odds and in one of boxing’s most inspirational moments returned to the ring 13 months later. Before retiring in 2004 he won multiple titles at super middleweight.
The 5’7” Paz has a 50-10 (30 KOs) record that includes a pair of wins over Hall of Famer Roberto Duran, Dana Rosenblatt and Lloyd Honeyghan among others.
Vinny Paz
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