PITTSBURGH -- Eight years ago, Paul "The Pittsburgh Kid" Spadafora was a world champion and the toast of the town.

But the boxing great took a hard fall, getting into trouble and landing in jail.

WTAE Channel 4 Action News reporter Marcie Cipriani recently got a one-on-one interview with the former champ, who said he's ready to get off the mat and pick himself up for another shot at life.

In the ring, Spadafora is confident, tough and unbeaten, with a record of 40-0. But outside the ropes, he has had his share of struggles.

"Boxing's not that hard for me, but alcohol really is," Spadafora said. "That's the biggest fight of my life."

Spadafora spoke candidly about his recent troubles, jail time and his fight to get back in the ring.

"I think it's bright, as long as I stay clean, stay off alcohol and stay away from people, places and things," Spadafora said.

Boxing is all Spadafora said he has ever really known. Growing up in McKees Rocks and some of Pittsburgh's toughest neighborhoods in Lawrenceville, Bloomfield and the North Side, he quit school at 13 and began to train.

By 19, he went pro, soon becoming the lightweight champion of the world.

Then, he said, he made a life-changing choice.

"I never in my life got in trouble until I picked up a drink of beer, drink of alcohol -- I mean, anything," said Spadafora.

He credits every single one of his problems outside of the ring to alcohol.

Some of those problems include charges that he shot his then-fiancee and mother of his child, Nadine Russo, and a violation of his parole.

"Trying to do it my way doesn't work," Spadafora said. "It never really worked."

Now, Spadafora attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. He makes no excuses for his choices and asks for no sympathy, just understanding.

"Pittsburgh, I'm not a bad kid at all," he said.

To prove it, Spadafora is focusing on changing his life. He said he also has resumed training.

"This is where I want to be, right here, in my life today," he said. "It's like being at home."

Spadafora gave Channel 4 Action News exclusive access to his sparring session during a charity event at the Omni William Penn Hotel on Thursday.

Behind the scenes, Spadafora talked about his plans for the future.

"My goal is to get 60 professional fights (and) by the end of next year, be in a major fight," he said. "I want to see if I can beat one of these major guys for another world title. I believe I can do it. I'm still a fighter. Believe me."

Spadafora said when he's not training or going to AA meetings, he is with his children, including the 3-year-old son he shares with Russo.

"It's unbelievable," said Spadafora. "He's awesome."

Spadafora said he just wants the world to know he is a different man without alcohol but the same fighter with the same heart.

"Thank you, Pittsburgh fans," he said. "I'm back. For real, I'm back."

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