Promoter Michael Acri announced today that four-division world champion and Hall of Fame inductee PERNELL "Sweet Pea" WHITAKER is the new chief trainer for undefeated former IBF lightweight champion PAUL "The Pittsburgh Kid" SPADAFORA as he prepares for his Wednesday, June 24 homecoming at Pittsburgh's Amphitheatre at Station Square (125 West Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, Penn. 15129.) Spadafora (41-0-1), will rumble with Ivan Bustos (27-12-3), of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a 10-round junior welterweight bout. The all-action show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Whitaker (40-4-1, 17 KOs), and a 1984 Olympic gold medalist, captured world titles in the lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight and junior middleweight divisions during a professional career that spanned 17 years. Named Fighter of the Year in 1989 and widely considered boxing's best pound for pound fighter during his championship reign, Whitaker was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008. " I'm looking forward to working with Paul and I know I can add to his game," said Whitaker. "Pernell was one of my idols growing up and I know we are going to make a good team," added Spadafora. The undercard will feature two Pittsburgh favorites, undefeated lightweight "Lightning" Rod Salka (7-0, 2 KOs), and welterweight Jose "The Prince" Caraballo (5-3, 1 KO), the professional debut of heavyweight Tommy Poe, from Wheeling, WV, and additional bouts.
Just when I'm ready to bury Paul Spadafora, something comes up to keep it interesting. I don't know much about Pernell as a trainer, so I'll have to keep an eye on how this turns out.
I think his time has past. Something seems to always come up and he disappears for long stretches. Wasted talent.
Is Whitaker not a horrible trainer, with a domineering style? Paul will shoot him. Seriously, that's my prediction.
41-0 against a bunch of true bums, spada sucks, if he beats at least 2 live guy's i'm think different till then, he aint ****........i've lived in erie trust me i know all about this kid
I think the key here will be what kind of influence will Whitaker give Spadafora as far as attitude. Both have had their fair share of problems outside the ring and when you have two people like that together it doesn't necessarily provide the balance needed. I'm not saying is not going to work, but it is something that we should look out for.
