Jose Espinosa spends his nights at the RHD Ridge Center, Philadelphia's largest homeless shelter.

The former insurance salesman's sleeping arrangements had an unintended consequence.

At RHD, Espinosa met Matthew Saad, who was the light-heavyweight boxing champion of the world between 1977 and 1981.

Espinosa profiled his fellow shelter resident for the June issue of One Step Away, a paper written and edited almost entirely by the homeless population.

The story earned the writer an award from the International Network of Street Papers for the best interview.

"I asked myself: I've spent two years in this shelter, and why am I here?" Espinosa said. "Maybe this will help move my life in a new direction. It's an honor. Now just for me, but for One Step Away."

Claudell Edwards' article on RHD men's clothing drive for the victims of the Haiti earthquake was also nominated for an award in the Best Vendor Essay category. He did not win.

Video from the Channel Six Action News report below.