Ex-Champion Boxer Paul Spadafora Facing Charges of Assault, Harassment

Former world champion boxer Paul Spadafora continues to find himself in trouble outside of the ring. According to a report from Pittsburgh-based KDKA-TV , Spadafora faces charges of simple assault and harassment for an alleged incident at a Pittsburgh bar on Monday where Spadafora shoved a 63-year old woman to the ground in a parking lot.

According to witnesses at the Redstone tavern in the Crafton Ingram Shopping Center near the Steel City, Spadafora and his brother arrived at the watering hole and began playing pool. The bartender told KDKA that the former champ appeared as though he was “on something” and eventually began harassing the patrons and demanded someone to fight him.

Spadafora allegedly grabbed the hat off of the head one of the patrons, identified simply as Liz, and put her in a brief headlock before drinking her beer. Liz quickly headed outside to call the police, according to the report. “The Pittsburgh Kid” then followed her out to the parking lot, grabbed her and shoved her to the ground. Spadafora and his brother eventually left the shopping center. Liz suffered a bloodied leg and had an ambulance called to her aid.

The incident in the parking lot was caught on a surveillance camera and though it’s nearly impossible to tell that it is Spadafora, witnesses claim they have no doubt that it was Spadafora.

“We are still in the investigative stage of the investigation, but we will be filing charges,” Crafton Police Department Chief Mark Sumpter told KDKA.

This is the latest in a lengthy criminal lifestyle of Spadafora, who won the IBF lightweight title in 1999 by edging Israel Cardona via decision. He defended the title seven times before vacating it, scoring wins over the likes of Billy Irwin and Angel Manfredy.

In October 2003, Spadafora was arrested and accused of allegedly shooting his pregnant girlfriend, Natalie Russo, during a heated argument at a Pittsburgh gas station; he was released after posting a $50,000 bond. Spadafora was eventually sentenced to 21 to 60 months in prison in 2005.

He was arrested again in September 2004 for running the car he was driving into a parked police cruiser while under the influence of alcohol. In December of that year, traces of cocaine showed up in a urinalysis and he was jailed shortly thereafter.

Spadafora (49-1-1, 19 KOs) kept clean until September 2011 when he was arrested for once driving under the influence.