Ray Mancini Vs Vinny Pazienza: Mythical Matchups

Our next mythical matchup features a battle of two exciting and popular Lightweights from the 1980’s as Boom Boom squares off against the Pazmanian Devil.

Mancini was one of the most popular fighters of the early 1980’s, a swarming, high volume puncher who engaged in numerous wars over the course of his career. He emerged into public consciousness, battling gamely against the legendary Alexis Arguello before losing by a 14th round TKO in October 1981. In May 1982, Boom Boom captured the WBA version of the crown, rebounding from early trouble to stop Arturo Frias in the first round. After the fight with Frias, the 21 year old Mancini enters the ring tonight with a record of 23-1, 18 KOs.

The colorful Pazienza is perhaps best known for his exploits at Jr. Middleweight, Middleweight and Super Middleweight in the 1990’s. However, before this he was also a talented and promising Lightweight. Pazienza certainly didn’t win all of his major fights but he was exciting to watch and always gave fans their money’s worth. The 25 year old Pazienza enters this fight coming off his IBF Lightweight title winning effort over Greg Haugen in June 1987. His record entering this fight is identical to Mancini’s at 23-1, 18 KOs.

So who takes it? Boom Boom or Vinny Pazienza?

Let’s Settle This in the Ring!

Over 14,000 fans have gathered tonight at the old Boston Garden to watch this compelling matchup of Lightweight champions. As a Rhode Island native, Pazienza is considered to be the hometown fighter. However, Mancini also has a significant fan base here in Beantown. Among those in the attendance are: Larry Bird, Bobby Orr and Marvelous Marvin Hagler. There has also been a Whitey Bulger sighting in the crowd. In the semifinal, Dana Rosenblatt outpoints Marvelous Marvin’s brother Robbie Sims over the course of 12 rounds. The crowd waits in anticipation of the main event.

Both men enter the ring to thunderous applause. Mancini wears red trunks trimmed with white, while Paz wears gold trimmed with black. Both men weighed in at the Lightweight limit of 135. At 5’7’’, Pazienza is two inches taller than the 5’5’’ Mancini and enjoys a 5 inch reach advantage. Referee Davey Pearl calls the two men to the center of the ring for the final instructions and the bell is about to ring for the start of the fight.

Mancini is the aggressor early while Pazienza looks to keep the action at long range. Ray lands a good left hook to the body which causes Vinny to wince as the first round comes to a close. Mancini continues to press the attack in round two. However, Pazienza lands a wicked three punch combination that stops him in his tracks. The Pazmanian Devil hurts Mancini late in the round with a hard right cross. Pazienza controls the pace and distance in the third round, keeping Mancini at bay with his left jab. There is a trickle of blood from Mancini’s left eye as the round comes to a close.

In the fourth, Mancini begins to use his jab more to counteract the jab of Pazienza. The jab itself doesn’t land much but it serves as a range finder. Boom Boom begins to land more of his power shots. Mancini bores his way inside and pounds away at the body and head of Pazienza in round five. Mancini forces Pazienza to the ropes but Vinny fights his way off with wicked combinations. The fighters trade with impunity for the rest of the round. Now, it’s Pazienza who is cut over the right eye as he returns to the corner.

The fighters continue to trade on the inside in round 6 with Mancini having the better of the action. His punches are simply harder than those of the Pazmanian Devil. The blood is flowing freely from Vinny’s right eye as the round comes to a close. Between rounds, Lou Duva implores Pazienza to stick to the fight plan and box. Paz does his best to comply in round seven but Mancini is relentless. However, he gets greedy and walks directly into a Pazienza right hand. Mancini is hurt. Vinny capitalizes landing accurate combinations over the remainder of the round. By the 8th, Mancini is cut over his right eye as well as his left. Pazienza takes advantage, staying out of Mancini’s punching range and landing crisp blows from the outside.

Paz continues to work effectively on the outside as Mancini becomes increasingly frustrated in round 9. Mancini’s left eye is bleeding profusely and he is having difficulty seeing the right hands from Pazienza coming. By the 10th, Vinny’s confidence is soaring and he resorts to clowning, sticking his tongue and chin out at Mancini. He caps off the round with a crisp left, right combination to Boom Boom’s chin. An angry Mancini comes out for round 11 and lands a vicious left hook to the liver. Pazienza doubles over and is forced to hold while Boom Boom pounds on his arms. Mancini gains punching room and lands a smashing left, right combination to the head of Pazienza. Vinny fires back and lands a right which sends sweat flying off Boom Boom’s head. By the end of the round, Pazienza’s right eye is busted wide open and both men are now a bloody mess.

By round 12 Pazienza is tiring while Boom Boom is invigorated. Mancini lands a left hook which sends Vinny reeling towards the ropes. Mancini batters him to the body while Pazienza tries desperately to hold. A right from Boom Boom buckles the Pazmanian Devil’s knees again as the round comes to a close. As the 13th round begins, Pazienza is simply too exhausted to move and forced to engage Mancini in trench warfare. Boom Boom dominates the first minute of the round. However, Pazienza responds with a wicked combination that hurts Mancini. He then lands a left hook which buckles Boom Boom’s knees. Now it is Mancini that is forced to hold. The ebb and flow of this fight is tremendous and the crowd roars in approval as the bell rings.

The action slows over the first half of the 14th round as both men, as well as the crowd, seem to be catching their breath for the stretch drive. Mancini lands a hard right to the body with one minute remaining and follows up with a left hook that rocks Pazienza. Vinny tries to fire back but his punches are lacking in steam. Mancini forces him to the ropes and pummels him to the head and body. An exhausted Pazmanian Devil returns to his corner.

The two fighters meet in the center of the ring at the start of round 15. Pazienza summons all his remaining energy to mount a rally over the first minute of the round. He staggers Mancini with a tremendous right. However, as Paz tries to pursue, he walks into a left, right combination that rocks him. Both men are forced to hold as the clock moves under 1 minute remaining. With 30 seconds left, it is Mancini who is able to dig down landing a tremendous right which sends Pazienza reeling across the ring. He pummels a defenseless Pazienza along the ropes, looking to close the show. However, Vinny shows great courage and manages to survive until the final bell. This fight will go to the scorecards.
Ring announcer Michael Buffer prepares to read the scorecards:

Judge Harold Letterman scores 143-142 Mancini
Judge Arthur Lurie scores 144-142 Pazienza
Judge Chuck Hassett scores 144-142 for the winner by split decision……….Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini

HBO’s Larry Merchant conduct the post-fight interviews.

Mancini says: “Wow! Other than Arguello, this was the toughest fight of my career. This guy just didn’t back down and I have a lot of respect for him. I thank God that I was able to prevail in the end.”

Pazienza responds: “I felt like I won the fight but I can’t take anything away from Mancini. He’s a tough guy and a great competitor. We gave the crowd their money’s worth tonight and I’d love a rematch.”

Both men are sent to Mass General Hospital after a spectacular night of Lightweight mayhem.

Stay tuned!