2004 -- H 8449 ======= LC03117 ======= STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2004 ____________ H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N CONGRATULATING VINNY PAZ ON THE INCREDIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF WINNING FIFTY CAREER BOXING MATCHES Introduced By: Representatives Murphy, Schadone, Trillo, Corvese, and Petrarca Date Introduced: April 22, 2004 Referred To: House read and passed 1 WHEREAS, Vinny Paz, the pride of Rhode Island, wrapped up his stellar boxing career 2 Saturday night on March 27th, when he won the fiftieth fight of his career by defeating Tucker 3 Pudwill in a ten round decision; and 4 WHEREAS, Vinny Paz, known affectionately as "The Pazmanian Devil," was born in 5 Cranston, Rhode Island in 1962. After building a reputation around the east coast as a fighter to 6 be reckoned with and defeating the likes of Roberto Elizondo, Vinny Paz finally attained a title 7 fight when he met IBF Champion Greg Haugen on June 7, 1987; and 8 WHEREAS, In a fight that would become a legend in boxing circles, Vinny Paz 9 outfought Haugen and won a fifteen round decision to become the IBF Champion. Paz and 10 Haugen would meet two more times, with Haugen winning the second fight but Vinny Paz 11 coming back to win the rubber match by prevailing in a ten round decision in 1990; and 12 WHEREAS, After his third fight with Haugen, Vinny Paz's boxing career became an 13 inspiration to many. His relentless spirit and refusal to give into overwhelming odds has made 14 him a legend in boxing circles and in the state of Rhode Island; and 15 WHEREAS, In 1991, Vinny Paz moved to the Jr. Middleweight Division and made 16 history by making the biggest jump in weight from one title to another when he challenged and 17 defeated WBA World Jr. Middleweight Champion Gilbert Dale with a thrilling eleventh round 18 knockout win in Providence; and 19 WHEREAS, Tragedy struck Vinny Paz when he was severely injured in a car crash and 1 he was forced to vacate his title. Doctors told him he would never fight again. But the doctors 2 underestimated Vinny Paz's incredible spirit and ability to overcome the odds. After three 3 months in the hospital and wearing a neck brace, he made one of the greatest comebacks in the 4 history of sports when he returned to the ring against his doctors recommendations and defeated 5 former WBC World Champion Luis Santana; and 6 WHEREAS, Vinny Paz has defeated numerous famous fighters including the great 7 Roberto Duran twice, but more important than his achievements inside the ring is the way he has 8 conducted himself outside the ring. Vinny Paz loves giving out autographs to his many fans and 9 is always willing to donate his time for a good charitable purpose; now, therefore be it 10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and 11 Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Vinny Paz for winning his fiftieth boxing match, 12 thanks him for the many thrills he gave all of his fans in Rhode Island, and wishes him continued 13 success in all future endeavors; and be it further 14 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to 15 transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Vinny Paz. ======= LC03117 ======= 2 .