PITTSBURGH -- In a scene reminiscent of one of his championship prizefights, ex-world lightweight titleholder Paul Spadafora was released from jail Monday night, hours after his girlfriend denied accusations that he tried to kill her in McKees Rocks.

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Girlfriend Talks About Shooting

Spadafora, 28, allegedly shot Nadine Russo, 20, outside his 2003 Hummer (picture available below in slideshow) at a BP on Island Avenue around 6 a.m. Sunday. Russo continued to recover Monday night in Allegheny General Hospital.

Local authorities questioned Spadafora and released him at first, but a warrant was issued after investigators gathered more evidence, Allegheny County police said. The man known in the sports world as the "Pittsburgh Kid" was pulled over near his home in Moon and taken into custody Sunday night.

Surrounded by a large group of friends and relatives, Spadafora walked out of the county jail with no comment Monday night after posting $50,000 cash bond. He wore a white towel over his head and was quickly led into a sport utility vehicle.

Slideshow

The 'Spaddy' Case In Pictures

Russo, reached by cell phone Monday afternoon, told Channel 4's Chris Glorioso that it wasn't Spadafora who had critically wounded her at the gas station one day earlier.

"It couldn't be him, because I was shot in the front and Paul was behind," Russo said.

Spadafora's brother agreed, telling reporters, "Paul Spadafora fights for the city of Pittsburgh. He does not hurt the city of Pittsburgh."

Michael Acri, Spadafora's promoter, said the boxer told police that a stranger had approached his vehicle and fired a shot that hit Russo.

But county police say Russo offered a different account of the shooting when they interviewed her. They say Spadafora's Hummer and the gun that was used to shoot Russo have been taken into evidence, and the case could proceed even if Russo decides not to press charges.

According to a police affidavit, witnesses said that just before Russo was shot, she argued with Spadafora about two flat tires that she had gotten while driving the Hummer.

Russo's shooting happened two days after Spadafora was arrested on a public lewdness charge in downtown Pittsburgh. A police report said Spadafora smelled of alcohol when he allegedly urinated at the corner of Liberty Avenue and Grant Street.

Spadafora won the International Boxing Federation title at 135 pounds in August 1999. He relinquished the belt in June with an undefeated record of 36-0-1, saying he had decided to move up in weight class.

Spadafora is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and a firearms violation.