PITTSBURGH IS WHERE "THE KID" SHOULD REMAIN

INSIDE BOXING - There is no longer any doubt that Paul “The Pittsburgh Kid” Spadafora cannot compete with the elite fighters in the lightweight division.

Saturday night Spadafora improved his unbeaten record (35-0, 14 KO’s) following his defeat of Angel Manfredy (39-6-1, 29 KO’s).

The carefully selected Manfredy was supposed to be the first legitimate test for the unbeaten IBF Lightweight Champion Spadafora. There would be no test as the plodding Manfredy offered no semblance of intention to dethrone the suspect IBF Champion Spadafora.

All 3 ringside judges scored the bout 115-113 in favor of Spadafora. I had the fight 116-109 also favoring Spadafora.

Although Manfredy suggested he was the victor, there was no competent judge who could have seen him winning the fight. But the 115-113 scores by the ringside judges did suggest that had Manfredy did a little bit more than he did (which was nothing) the hometown favorite would have been in trouble.

Paul Spadafora is little more than a sparring partner for the likes of Stevie Johnston, Jose Luis Castillo or Floyd Mayweather, Jr. He is not a bad fighter. He just isn’t a world champion at 135 pounds.

Anyone disputing that fact is plain and simple a Paul Spadafora fan. There is nothing wrong with being a fan of his as long as you are realistic. His handlers are. That is why “The Pittsburgh Kid” remains in Pittsburgh.

Angel Manfredy looked like nothing more than a club fighter. He threw maybe 2 punches during the whole fight that were intended to inflict damage. What Manfredy thought was a dominating performance was a sad display by a fighter who needs to move on in another direction with his life.

Until the Spadafora camp decides to “take their show on the road” there will be no further interest in Paul Spadafora as a lightweight fighter. The Spadafora performance against Manfredy was more than enough ammunition for Castillo, Johnston or Mayweather, Jr. to challenge him to fight in Las Vegas or New York.

The comfort zone of Pittsburgh is no longer a possibility for Spadafora. Either he proves he can fight anytime and anywhere (other than Pittsburgh) or remain content to hold the IBF version of the lightweight title.

It is now time for “The Pittsburgh Kid” to decide if he is a man…or willing to remain a kid.

The featherweight division has a true challenger to the title “World Champion”.

Juan Manuel Marquez (38-2) stopped Australian Robbie Peden following the 10th round. The bloodied mouth of Peden filled his stomach to the point of his being unable to continue.

Marquez was dominating as his boxing skills far outweighed the game, but overmatched Peden. Marquez has the look of a determined and talented future champion. He boxes beautifully and his punches have the kick of a mule. There will soon be no stopping him.

In the next 12 months look for Juan Manuel Marquez to be the Featherweight Champion of the World.

Stephen S. Johnson 03/09/02