After the loss to Hector Camacho on February 3, 1990, Vinny Pazienza returned to action in August against his old nemesis in Greg Haugen. Vinny won a unanimous ten round decision at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, which put himself back on the winning path.
Unfortunately for him, when he challenged Loreto Garza WBA junior welterweight champ on December 1 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California, it was another disastrous night. Garza easily outboxed Pazienza the whole night, so much so that Vinny resorted to fouling the entire fight. He was disqualified in the eleventh when he tried to pick Garza up and throw him. It was another pathetic performance, and it made you wonder if anyone would pay to see him fight anymore.
Vinny’s trainer Kevin Rooney saw that his fighter was struggling to make 140 at lbs., and made a wise decision. Vinny jumped up two weight classes, and made his debut at junior middleweight on July 2, 1991 against Ron Admundsen at the Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The ‘Pazmanian Devil’ looked healthy and muscular at his new weight, and won an impressive twelve round decision. The weight class shift had revitalized him, and incredibly scored him a title shot his next time out.
I vividly recall watched his bout on the USA network against WBA champion Gilbert Dele. You couldn’t help but cheer the guy on, and I was happy that he won the fight rather easily, and was the new champ at 154 lbs. I sure miss the USA network fights with Al Albert and Sean O’Grady calling the action, who together made a great announcing team.
Vinny wouldn’t enjoy his new title long, because something tragic happened just a month later, that would forever change his life.
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