Leonard Doroftei supports the launch of the first medical clinic for children in Romania, a project of the Romanian Red Cross.
The sports equipment, consisting of shorts and tank top, worn by Leonard Doroftei during the match held in front of the boxer Paul Spadafora, on May 17, 2003, will be auctioned on May 29, 2026, at Artmark.
“If it weren’t for a noble cause, this equipment would never have left the Dorofta family home“, says the former pugilist.
Leonard Doroftei joins the Romanian Red Cross and supports the launch of the first mobile medical clinic for children in Romania.
The future clinic, scheduled to operate within the Romanian Red Cross Health Caravan, aims to bring medical services closer to vulnerable children.
On May 29, 2026, the equipment will be auctioned at Artmark, as part of the “All Stars Game” auction, at a starting price of €1,000.
Leonard Doroftei donated this equipment in July 2025, during the event that marked 149 years of humanitarian activity of the Romanian Red Cross.
“That’s how my soul felt at that moment because it’s not just a piece of equipment, it’s a piece of equipment that gave me the most beautiful match that a Romanian boxer has ever been able to give. It was a unification match of two belts, between two world champions, on a night when the Romanian leu was more valuable than the American dollar. It ended in a draw, but that made me feel proudLeonard Doroftei declared for the Romanian Red Cross.
The equipment was worn by Romanian boxer Leonard Doroftei on May 17, 2003 (May 18, 6:00 a.m. in Romania), during the match against Paul Spadafora. The bout, which took place at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, was about unifying the WBA and IBF lightweight titles. The game, held for 12 rounds, ended in a tie after the decision of the 3 judges.
Many observers felt that Leonard Doroftei should have won on points. After the match, Doroftei claimed that the result of the match with Spadafora was the biggest injustice committed against him in his entire sports career.
Following this result, Leonard Doroftei missed the chance to also hold the IBF belt, but kept the WBA one. Although the WBA Executive Committee agreed to a rematch with Spadafora, the match never took place.
