Vincenzo Edward Pazienza was born on December 16, 1962. He tells a story about going to see the movie Rocky in the movie theatre as a teen, and it inspiring him to be a boxer. He had a successful amateur career in Rhode Island, and made his professional debut on May 26, 1983 at the Sands Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J. He won a four round decision against Alfredo Rivera. He reeled off nine more wins to finish the year with a record of 10-0, and went into 1984 with big plans on his mind.
Vinny won four more bouts in 1984, but suffered his first loss as a pro on December 1 in Milan, Italy by TKO in five rounds. He rebounded in 1985 with three victories, the last one being a spectacular one punch knockout of Melvin Paul on November 26, at Harrah’s in Atlantic City. He followed that up with four straight wins in 1986, and finished the year with a record of 21-1. Talks of a shot at the lightweight title loomed as 1987 began.
After a ten round decision win over Roberto Elizondo in his hometown of Providence, Rhode Island on February 8, Vinny inked a deal to fight Greg Haugen for the IBF lightweight belt. Pazienza had a style made for television, and a personality to boot, making me look forward the fight on NBC in Vinny’s hometown.
Greg Haugen was a tough, determined fighter, and the both were evenly matched. The bout itself was close, with both boxing and moving, and neither ever really hurting the other seriously. After fifteen rounds, Vinny got the unanimous decision, and was a world champion for the first time.
Boxing needed new stars to replace the older fighters like Larry Holmes and Sugar Ray Leonard, and Vinny had star appeal. Like him or not, he made you want to tune in to see him fight whenever he stepped into the ring.
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