Vinny Paz Turns Himself In: Providence Police

PROVIDENCE, RI — Providence police have confirmed an arrest warrant was issued for former boxing champ Vinny Paz, and he turned himself in Wednesday morning, WPRI-TV reported. Paz allegedly attacked a man whom he claimed stole money from him. Earlier, the police said they wanted to question him in connection with an incident at a Hawkins Street home Tuesday morning.

Paz, 55, was formerly known as Vincent Pazienza, of Cranston. He held world lightweight and light middle weight titles. A 2016 film, Bleed for This, was based on his comeback from a broken neck suffered in a car crash.

Police say witnesses told them that Paz accused a friend of stealing $16,000 and beat him up. The man, who went to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment, suffered several broken teeth, a black eye and bite marks, witnesses told police.

According to Lindsay Lague, spokeswoman for the Providence police, Paz is being charged with one count of felony assault.

The Associated Press contacted a Paz spokesman, who did not immediately comment, but Paz spoke out over Twitter to "stop" with the nonsense story.

Click here for the Channel 10 report.

Patch will update this story.

The Associated Press and Dan Hampton contributed to this report.

Photo Caption: Rhode Island native Vinny Paz appears at a news conference promoting his upcoming 12-round super middleweight bout, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002, in Providence, R.I. Paz, looking for his 50th career victory, will be fighting WBC champion Eric Lucas at Foxwoods Resort Casino on March 1. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)