OnThEGRiND BoXiNG

Monday May 11th, 2009
Photo/Story by Jesse Rican

At the fights that took place in Franklin Square New York on Friday night, I had the privilege of meeting and talking with former IBF Light Welterweight Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi. Adorned with a watch and ring that would probably appraise for more than the average boxing fan’s house, Paulie definitely entered the venue with the trademark swagger and charisma that he carries with him everywhere he goes.

In addition to up to the minute news on how Paulie was accessorizing for the fights, OnThEGRiND also was blessed with the latest on the Magic Man’s next bout. The rumblings heard about an upcoming fight with “Mile High” Mike Alvarado 26(18)-0, look to be true with Paulie stating that it’s “Almost 100 percent.”

Malignaggi also had a few choice words for his former trainer Buddy McGirt.

When asked if Buddy’s firing was strictly related to the Hatton stoppage (which many didn’t agree with, but I did) Paulie said, “No. If you looked at me before, I was fighting like shit. Even the fights that I won, I still looked like shit.”

After Malignaggi made himself clear on the McGirt situation, we shifted gears to discuss the man that the entire sport is talking about…Manny Pacquiao.

“Would you like a fight against Manny Pacquiao?” I asked.

Paulie replied quickly, “Well yeah, who doesn’t want a fight with Pacquiao?”

After the losses to Miguel Cotto and Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, does he actually believe he has a boxers chance against Manny?

“Now I believe I do. Not before, I’m a lot better boxer now.”

Every boxer believes he has a chance against Pacquiao, and it remains to be seen If Paulie can back up his words.

I also asked Paulie about the scare he had with recent OnThEGRiND BoXiNG RaDIo guest Chris Fernandez in the 6th round of their recent 8 rounder, which was supposed to be a stay busy fight for Malignaggi. Paulie said that Chris had him a little shook up, but he knew that he would make it through the match and win. He went on to call the fight “A glorified sparring match.”

Paulie Malignaggi expressed his desire to do the OnThEGRiND BoXiNG RaDIo show soon at my invite saying he, “Would love to do the show,” and will “Answer any questions fans have” for him.