Paulie Malignaggi, the stylish New York boxer who claimed a junior welterweight belt with a lopsided decision against Lovemore N'Dou on June 16, is enjoying his newfound status. "It feels great," he said. "This is what I've been working so hard for. I'm being treated much differently. My friends always respected me, but, in general, I'm getting more respect in the street and boxing." Although Malignaggi (24-1, 5 KOs) would like to someday defend his belt in Italy, he'd like his first defense to be in America against recognized world champion Ricky Hatton, who vacated the belt Malignaggi eventually won in order to fight higher profile opponent Jose Luis Castillo on June 23 instead of making a mandatory defense against N'Dou. Oh Geez, the saga continues.:nut
Hatton should face the Witter-Harris winner... Maliginni style wise gives hatton a bit of troule, he just isnt strong enough to keep Ricky at bay imo...
I dont think malignaggi would win, hes not strong enogugh to keep hatton off for 12 rounds but he is a bit of a terrible style for hatton. id avoid him if i was rickys matchmakers
Paulie will be able to land at will on Hatton but doesnt have the pop to keep him from breaking all his ribs.
Malignaggi by UD, but he's a good boxer in his prime so Hatton won't agree to fight him....cos that's the way Wicky wolls.
I agree. Malignaggi is a good boxer, and also very tough, see him v Cotto for reference of that. I think he can take what Hatton can dish out, and land enough of his own to win on points.
If they do fight expect "Malignaggi was another hype job that was nothing more than Cotto's leftovers", one guy comes close to beating Hatton and all of a sudden anyone similar can beat him:nut, no wonder boxing has problems every dumbass and his dog must post on this site to warrant this kind of response.
Very true sandwichsurgeon. What people seem to forget is that hatton had only six weeks to prepare for collazo who was a southpaw, but paulie is not. IF hatton can walk through KT punches, and break four ribs of castillo with one punch then he will be able to break down the feather fisted newyorker in the same way cotto did!
Don't think Hatton wants this fight. Risk vs reward.. Malignaggi isn't really a big name, combined with the fact that he has the kind of fighting style that bothers Ricky.. what does Ricky have to gain by taking this risk?... Well, other than to unify... but I think Hatton wants his next fight to be a BIG fight. Paulie doesnt fit the bill.. Hatton will fight PBF or Oscar
Has anyone here put on 7 lbs of muscle in 6 weeks with cardio and sparring lumped in only to go into an arena which requires the upmost perfection to truly suceed? Anyone here that has or has an accurate grasp of what the sport of boxing entails should be able to understand the reason why Hatton fell slightly short, although not enough to lose, against Collazo. The negative Hatton comments have become cliché's of the highest order.