Vinny Paz, formerly Vinny Pazienza (born Vincenzo Edward Pazienza on December 16, 1962 in Cranston, Rhode Island) is an Italian-American former boxer and world champion in the lightweight and light middleweight weight classes. He boxed under the nickname of "The Pazmanian Devil." After building a reputation around the Eastern coast and a streak of wins over people like Roberto Elizondo (KO in 10), the Rhode Island native's first title try came on June 7, 1987 in Providence, where he outpointed Greg Haugen over 15 rounds to become the IBF's world lightweight champion. The pair would meet two more times, Haugen recovering the title in an immediate rematch, but Paz prevailing in a 10-round decision in their rubber match in 1990.