To say that the life of two-time light middleweight champion of the world is inspiring would be the biggest understatement ever. His story is pretty amazing and definitely inspiring. For all of you out there that want to quit, give up or just thrown in the towel you need to watch the awe-inspiring movie made about this boxing champion and his will to never ever make excuses and to march forward regardless of what cards life deals you.
The life of Vinny Paz is truly a testament to the human will to never give up. To look at life’s worst possible circumstance and to continue onward and upward.
One day while Paz, was riding in the passenger seat of a car, the car was struck head-on while traveling near his home in Warwick, Rhode Island. Paz suffered two broken and one dislocated vertebrae along with his spinal column.
He was told that he would be lucky if he could just walk, and as far as boxing was concerned, he was told to forget that idea.
But the doctors had no idea who they were dealing with.
Vinny Paz had to make a life or death choice, quite literally. The decision was to have an operation on his vertebrae and never box again or to have a halo spinal traction and make the boxing comeback of the century. Vinny chose the later.
The above image is Vinny Paz right after the accident.
After 13 months, Paz was back in the ring. Defying all reason and logic, and not only defeated the Dominican Republic’s Luis Santana in a 10-round unanimous decision but also would continue fighting for the next 13 years.
His life is a true inspiration, so much so that a movie was made about his life.
Of course, I was super thrilled and honored when I was given the incredible opportunity to interview Vinny Paz.
Here is the interview:
Could you tell us a little bit about how you got into boxing? Also what other types of training do you currently do?
Since I was six years old, all I ever wanted to do was box. I was inspired by Muhammed Ali. To this day, I train with weights and hit the bag, you can see me at Twitter @5Xpaz.
You have inspired people all around the world, who has inspired you in your life?
Muhammed Ali was my all time favorite hands down. And I also go to fight my idol Roberto Duran, and now I corner his son, Roberto Duran, Jr.
If you could thank three people in your life who would they be and what would you say to each of them?
My Parents! They have always been there for me, for sure. They are great people! Another person I would thank would have to be Mauricio Sulaiman, the President of the WBC, for always including me in the conventions and in the honorary WBC Belt. He is a good man and very good to many including myself!!
There are a lot of myths or just plain non-truths when it comes to boxing in general and what is one that you seem to hear over and over?
The only myth really is that you can have a long career in boxing, most of the time it doesn’t happen. Only a very few can have a long career, for the rest their careers are short, and you have to be a bit lucky really to make good money and fight at the top. Boxing has changed a lot over the years, and I’m glad I fought during the time I did in my day.
What’s the most important lesson you have learned in life either personally or professionally?
You have to stay tough; life is tough; things happen, you can’t quit!
In one sentence or phrase, how would you define success?
Everyone has their own meaning, I have to tell you, if you can get through the tough times that’s success.
What was the most challenging or difficult decision you had to make?
That’s really a tough one, obviously, it was the Halo and when I broke my neck. I had to roll the dice and rolled it big.
As an inspirational and motivational role model, what pearls of wisdom or words of advice would you have for those chasing their dreams?
Don’t quit! Its that simple just don’t quit
What was the best decision you have made?
Boxing because it really is all I ever wanted to do!
What question should I have asked you that I didn’t ask? Why is that question important and what is the answer?
The only question I would have asked me is what’s it like to have a movie made about you? It was a bittersweet situation I loved Miles Teller playing me, but I would have never allowed the way they put my movie out there. I didn’t like how they did it! It could have been a blockbuster, Miles Teller and the cast Aron Eckart and Katey Segal were great but I wasn’t happy with a few of the producers, they really let me down. So the question would have been about the movie and what I would have liked to happen? But that’s life! And if it inspired one person then I won. Thanks stay strong 5XXXVP
Thank you!!! Vinny for being an inspiration to millions around the world. You a true model of perseverance and not giving up.
For more information about Vinny Paz, you can follow him at his Twitter account:
https://twitter.com/5XPAZ
And here is the trailer to the movie about his life story:
