Paulie Malignaggi may move up to Welterweight

Less than two weeks ago at New York's Madison Square Garden, WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan dominated Paulie Malignaggi for eleven rounds before referee Steve Smoger stepped in to stop the fight.

It was believed, at least by the media, that Malignaggi would walk away from the sport. In Malignaggi's last few fights, his movement was slowing down and he was more stationary than he had ever been in the past. BoxingScene.com spoke with Malignaggi's co-manager, Josh Dubin, who made it clear from the start of our conversation - "mark my words, you have not seen the last of Paulie Malignaggi. He is not going out on that note."

Apparently, Malignaggi has been struggling to make weight for his last couple of fights. Dubin tells BoxingScene that Malignaggi has been forced to cut at least 20 to 25-pounds, which includes muscle mass, before his last couple of fights. Because of those struggles, Malignaggi is going to move up to the welterweight division.

"He lost the fight….it happens. It wasn’t his night that night. It was amazing to me that the first thing everybody did was write him off; that he should retire. It’s utterly ridiculous. He had an off-night and I don’t think he can make that weight anymore. To take 20-25-pounds off, that amounts to muscle, isn't healthy," Dubin told BoxingScene.com.

"He obviously didn’t have his legs that night His legs are his weapons. His legs are his offense. His legs are his defense. This is not to take anything away from Amir Khan. The kid is a sensational fighter. He was the better man that night and he deserves all of the credit in the world. Beyond that he is surrounded by good people and we wish him all the best."

“Paulie is 29-years-old. If I thought there was any remote risk where he would exposing himself to injury by continuing to fight, I would personally make it my business to make sure he would never step in a ring again. As a precaution, he is going to check on his neck, which has been an ongoing problem. We are going to see a specialist this week. Let’s not lose sight of the fact, Paulie did not get knocked down in the fight and he did not lose consciousness.”

When you sit there and think about Malignaggi's decision to move up, the most logical thought jumps up - the lack of power in Malignaggi's punches. Dubin believes Malignaggi will become a better puncher at welterweight. He says the public underestimates Malignaggi' s power because they focus on his record, which has tally of five knockouts in thirty-two professional fights.

“I think a step up to welterweight is certainly in order. People say 'he got no power at 140, so how is he going to fight at welterweight?' His power will step up accordingly. Paulie is not as light a puncher as people make him out to be. Amir Khan did not walk out of that fight without welts on his face. I think that seven pounds is going to make huge difference. When he was getting down to the 150s, he was already losing his legs. This way he can make weight and won't have every ounce of energy sapped from him," Dubin said.

One fight Malignaggi and his team plan to explore in the immediate future is an overseas scrap with Matthew Hatton, the younger brother of Ricky Hatton. If there is one fight that Malignaggi wants to avenge before he pulls the curtains on his boxing career, it would be the 2008 TKO loss to Ricky Hatton. That fight is probably never going to happen because Ricky is semi-retired and has no immediate plans to fight again. Ricky's brother would be a satisfying alternative.

"This is something we've discussed amongst our team and with Lou [DiBella]. It’s something we certainly want to see where that goes. The next best thing to getting revenge on Ricky Hatton is getting revenge on his brother. Its something Paulie wants to do. He wants clear his name of the Hatton stigma. Paulie is big star over in the UK. He loves it over there and he loves the fans over there. I think it would be a great, great fight," Dubin said.

Plans are currently being discussed for Malignaggi to make his welterweight debut in Italy. A local promoter has reached out to Malignaggi's promoter, Lou DiBella, to make the event possible.

"I think he would take one interim-fight to get comfortable at 147. And we’re thinking about possibly doing that in Italy. Paulie has always wanted to fight in his hometown of Italy and there has been quite a bit of interest from the local promoter there who wants to work with Lou to make it happen. Lou has expressed interest in making it happen and we're working in that direction. It’s going to be sooner than later," Dubin said.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=28058

My question is why the hell would Ricky's less skilled brother be a satisfying alternative? Amir Khan had welts on his face because he was in a fight!!!! This is a terrible idea. If Paulie is cutting 25 lbs per fight he should fight at 154 because 147 is still too light. This is bullshit. Paulie can get some good paydays at 47 and that's the reason he'll continue. My guess is DiBella drops him after his first loss at 147.

hardcoreBEE24 wrote:

My question is why the hell would Ricky's less skilled brother be a satisfying alternative? Amir Khan had welts on his face because he was in a fight!!!! This is a terrible idea. If Paulie is cutting 25 lbs per fight he should fight at 154 because 147 is still too light. This is bullshit. Paulie can get some good paydays at 47 and that's the reason he'll continue. My guess is DiBella drops him after his first loss at 147.

Paulie must be thinking if I beat Mathew it might lure Ricky back in the ring, which equals $$$.

Ali_1748 wrote:

hardcoreBEE24 wrote:

My question is why the hell would Ricky's less skilled brother be a satisfying alternative? Amir Khan had welts on his face because he was in a fight!!!! This is a terrible idea. If Paulie is cutting 25 lbs per fight he should fight at 154 because 147 is still too light. This is bullshit. Paulie can get some good paydays at 47 and that's the reason he'll continue. My guess is DiBella drops him after his first loss at 147.

Paulie must be thinking if I beat Mathew it might lure Ricky back in the ring, which equals $$$.

I think you're right but sadly, his mangement is thinking the same thing. Unfortunately, Josh Dubin was doing all the talking in the interview about how Paulie M. is going to the WW division. I didn't read a word from Paulie and he's not exactly the shy type.

malinaggi should fight Nate or Zab, or retire. I just can't see him being a factor at '47.

i agree with canvas...

Paulie needs to stay at 140 and try to fight someone else because at 147, he loses, but worse. I don't see him able to beat any top WW.

I think he should go for it.

I wouldn't imagine Wall Street or Silicon Valley is begging to see his resume.

NBrooks5 wrote:

I think he should go for it.

I wouldn't imagine Wall Street or Silicon Valley is begging to see his resume.

And this is the post that ends the thread. Great way to put it Brooks.

Thanks Hardcore.

NBrooks5 wrote:

I think he should go for it.

I wouldn't imagine Wall Street or Silicon Valley is begging to see his resume.

You never know, vivid might want to do a Jersey Whore film.

Ali_1748 wrote:

NBrooks5 wrote:

I think he should go for it.

I wouldn't imagine Wall Street or Silicon Valley is begging to see his resume.

You never know, vivid might want to do a Jersey Whore film.

I found that amusing

Canvas wrote:

Ali_1748 wrote:

NBrooks5 wrote:

I think he should go for it.

I wouldn't imagine Wall Street or Silicon Valley is begging to see his resume.

You never know, vivid might want to do a Jersey Whore film.

I found that amusing

"Paulie Malignaggi may move up to Welterweight"


Great move by Paula, go up to welterweight where you will have even less power, and get your brains beat out there.

Paulie needs to call it a career. I have respect for him. A pretty decent boxer who went as far as he could. Being top 10 at 140 for years isn't a bad accomplishment.

The problem with Paulie is simple. At 140, he was good, but never good enough to beat elite guys. The Hattons, Khans, Bradleys, Alexanders, of the world would always beat him. Why? Because he was a pretty good boxer, good speed, but no power. Against the best of the best, the speed and boxing advantage is negated.

At 147 I think he would struggle. At 140, he beats all but the top guys. At 147, with all the fighters being larger, I think he struggles to beat any top 10 guy.

He made decent money. Time to walk away.

captainanddew wrote:

Paulie needs to call it a career. I have respect for him. A pretty decent boxer who went as far as he could. Being top 10 at 140 for years isn't a bad accomplishment.

The problem with Paulie is simple. At 140, he was good, but never good enough to beat elite guys. The Hattons, Khans, Bradleys, Alexanders, of the world would always beat him. Why? Because he was a pretty good boxer, good speed, but no power. Against the best of the best, the speed and boxing advantage is negated.

At 147 I think he would struggle. At 140, he beats all but the top guys. At 147, with all the fighters being larger, I think he struggles to beat any top 10 guy.

He made decent money. Time to walk away.

He should walk away Capt, but he won't, his ego is just too big, guys like him are like alcoholics, they won't quit until they hit rock bottom.

"Now that I need a fight for my comeback, why not do it in Italy? I know a lot of people want to see me fight in Italy," Malignaggi said. "This would be a chance for people there to see me live. Maybe I can get the Italian welterweight title, make it interesting.

"Financially, I don't have to fight again. I've done well for myself. I don't have to fight, but you wonder what will you do with yourself? I'm a fighter. That's what I do. I am a fighter to the core. It's something you miss if you stay away from it, so while I still have the option, let's see what I can do. It might be fun to go the European route."

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=5227489

Rafael says RuPaulie is going to fight out of Italy at 147.

shit Paulies already been to Texas , Europe will be no sweat