Pazienza Wins Title With a Controversial Decision

Vinnie Pazienza of Cranston, R.I., won the International Boxing Federation lightweight championship with a controversial but unanimous 15-round decision over Greg Haugen at Providence, R.I.

All three judges scored the fight 144-141, but many ringside observers gave the edge to Haugen. Associated Press scored it in favor of Haugen, 145-144.

Pazienza, 134 1/2, suffered cuts above and below a nearly closed left eye and bled from his nose profusely from the second round on. But he rallied in the later rounds, shaking the defending champion with a left midway through the 12th round and then had Haugen, 134, holding on after a flurry of punches.

In the 15th round, Pazienza scored with combinations to the head and hurt Haugen with a left-right combination.

Haugen, who was making his first title defense, was also cut near the eye.

Pazienza claims a 23-0 record as a pro. However, Italian boxing records list a loss at Milan in 1984. The loss was the first for Haugen, 26, of Las Vegas. He is 19-1-1.