64-year-old Penn Hills boxer 'Papa Chainsaw' scores easy win in Atlantic City

Paul VanDale was honored to have a fight night held in Oakmont for his celebrity boxing match. Vinnie’s Tavern, owned by VanDale’s sponsor, the John Keefe Restaurant Group, hung a banner outside and showed his match on its televisions.

VanDale, a Penn Hills resident also known by his ring name “Papa Chainsaw,” hoped to put on more of a show than what his opponent ultimately allowed him to do. Fighting at the Showboat in Atlantic City, the 64-year-old beat Dalton Charles by first-round disqualification June 8.

Charles is an independent professional wrestler who is based out of New Jersey. Charles started to throw knees, an obvious foul, when VanDale started to walk him down after the bell.

“I wanted the knockout, but the guy didn’t want to be in there,” VanDale said. “When he felt what I was going to do to him, he knew the knockout was coming. My gameplan was to get him against the ropes. When I got him against the ropes to go to work, he tried to knee me. The referee warned him and he did it again.”

VanDale is the father of WWE wrestler Leah Van Dale, better known by her in-ring name Carmella. VanDale was a professional wrestler. He was trained by Killer Kowalski and found his way to the then-WWF as an enhancement talent. VanDale was best known for being the first professional opponent of Razor Ramon.

Fighting in Atlantic City was a big thrill for VanDale.

He met former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe. Aaron “Superman” Davis, a former WBA welterweight champion, walked VanDale out to the ring.

“Just the whole atmosphere,” VanDale said. “The press conference was nice. There was a lot of energy from being there. I like Atlantic City. I’ve been to the Showboat a few times before. I like going for walks on the boardwalk, gambling and having a few beers.”

VanDale doesn’t want to stop fighting either.

He enjoys training. The former Marine also fought a 26-year-old two years ago. VanDale would like his next opponent to push him in the ring.

“I want to see what opportunities present themselves,” VanDale said. “I want to fight someone who wants to fight, not someone who will run away and quit.”