Former Jr. Welterweight Champion Paulie Malignaggi thought about retirement following his loss to 140 lb WBA Champion Amir Khan…however he’s decided to fight on at Welterweight. Malignaggi(27-4, 5 KOs) is only 29, but has been in some wars and throughout his career has battled neck and hand problems. It appears that Malignaggi and his promoter Lou DiBella has come up with a plan for Paulie to continue on in Italy. Paulie is a dual citizen of the United States and Italy, where his family is from and where he lived from the time he was a few months old until he was 6. Matthew Hatton the brother of Ricky Hatton and the current European Titleholder has been hinted as a possible opponent. Ricky Hatton stopped Malignaggi in the 11th round in 2008 in defense of the junior welterweight championship and Malignaggi made it clear he wants a rematch ASAP. Interesting to see what happens next.
Junior welterweight champion Amir Khan made his American debut by stopping Paulie Malignaggi in the 11th round. In a one sided fight, Khan kept his jab in Malinaggi’s face the entire night, and frequently followed up with right hands. Though Malignaggi gave a valiant effort, Khan’s speed and accuracy were still too much. Referee Steve Smoger stepped in to stop the fight at 1:25 of the 11th round. Khan improved his record to (23-1, 17 KO’s) while Malinaggi’s fell to (27-4).
On the undercard of the Malignaggi-Khan bout tonight on HBO at 9: 45 ET/PT at New York's famous Madison Square Garden , is true crossroads fights between Former Lightweight Champion Nate "The Galaxxy Warrior" Campbell and Victor Ortiz. Campbell (33-5 25KOS) is looking to rebound from an unfortunate bout against 140lb Champion Timothy Bradley which was a ruled a No Contest due to a bad cut caused by a headbutt by Bradley. Ortiz (26-2-1 21KOS) is still looking to rebound from a loss to Marcos Maidana that turned this once future can't miss star to a fighter that is near the brink of opponent status. This has the makings of a very exciting bout. The winner of this one could mean almost a definite title shot, for the loser it could be a major setback. Tune in for what should a great matchup!!
Don’t forget, Victor Ortiz (26-2-1, 21 KO’s) takes on Nate Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KO’s) in a junior welterweight bout this Saturday, May 15th on HBO at 9:45 ET/PT. The bout will take place on the undercard of the Paulie Malignaggi vs. Amir Khan match. Tune in, this should be a great fight!
Just a reminder, junior welterweight champion Amir Khan is
defending his WBA title against former IBF titleholder Paulie Malignaggi this
Saturday, May 15th on HBO at 9: 45 ET/PT. For Khan (22-1, 16 KO’s), this will be his first
time fighting in the United States. As
for Malignaggi (27-3, 5 KO’s), time to........
In a bout that will bring even more clarity to a talent rich
division, Brooklyn native and former IBF Jr Welterweight Champion Paulie
Malignaggi is set to take on the young British star Amir Khan for
Khan's WBA Jr. Welterweight Title. The bout will take place in
Malignaggi's backyard of New York City at Madison Square Garden on May
15th.(HBO) There has already been a war of words between the two.
Recently Malignaggi made statements that he is suspicious of Khan being
on steriods because he trains at Freddie Roach's Wild Card gym with
Manny Pacquiao."Khan is in the same stable [as Pacquaio] ... I'm not
saying he's dirty and
he's probably not. It's just, it's going to cross my mind for the simple
reason
that he's got the same team around him." Amir Khan fired back at a
recent press conference to promote the bout by blowing off Malignaggi's
statements as publicity seeking "trash talk."......
