On October 18, 1995, Spadafora made his professional debut, winning a four-round knockout of Steve Maddux.
One of the KO's took place on the exhibition bout card, featuring long-retired veteran Dan Maloney and Tim Witherspoon.
They met on May 18, but the fight was declared a draw, both boxers remaining as world champions in their respective organizations.
Spadafora next fought on July 17, 2004, knocking out Costa Rica's Francisco Campos in ten rounds.
[2] He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for shooting his girlfriend Nadine Russo in the chest in October 2003 after a night of drinking, and in February 2005 was sentenced to six months in a bootcamp-style rehabilitation center.
In November 2006 he returned after a 32-month layoff to stop Jesus Francisco Zepeda in round five at the Avalon Hotel in Erie, Pennsylvania.
[citation needed] On April 25, 2008, again in Erie, Spadafora returned to the ring to fight Shad Howard.
Spadafora repeatedly connected with sharp jabs and combinations en route to an 80–72 unanimous decision.