Connect with us

Featured Articles

Paulie Malignaggi’s Second Act

Published

on

Admit it, you’ve once or twice or perhaps many more times than that thought Paulie Malignaggi was pretty damn annoying. The little guy with the big mouth could certainly grate a nerve. For a fighter who couldn’t punch, he could sure jack his own jaw.

I used to dread watching his fights. Because Paulie is genuinely smart and firmly aware of his limitations, a “Magic Man” fracas was likely to be full of dancing, pitter pat punches, and an increasingly aggravated opponent whose irritation would just maybe exceed that of the fight fan watching an exceedingly technical (read, boring) bout.

Even more frustrating was the knowledge that Malignaggi wasn’t going away. Paulie started out his career by winning his first 21 fights. All but five of those tilts ended in decisions. Out of the 39 professional fights on Malignaggi’s ledger, only 7 of his 33 wins closed inside the distance. That’s a KO victory rate of 21%, folks. I can’t imagine what the jaws of those not so magnificent seven were made of. Crepe paper? Tomatoes? Old grapes?

Yet somehow, with very little in his gloves, Malignaggi held a world alphabet title multiple times in his career. He didn’t dodge anyone either. Paulie scored wins over some very good fighters, including Juan Diaz and Zab Judah. His losses were certainly not against any weak sisters either. Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Juan Diaz (in their first of two scrapes), Amir Khan, Adrien Broner, and finally, in his only real beating, against Shawn Porter.

I still remember that loss in his first fight against Diaz. In the post-fight interview, Malignaggi turned his Paulie up to 11, disputing the scorecards and when talking about his future prospects, repeating multiple times, “I’m just an opponent!” Paulie took on the judges, the sport, and quite seemingly, the world in that caustic, high-pitched, full on Brooklynese whine of his. Forget the fact that he was probably right, if you were watching, you just wanted “The Situation” to shut up. Yeah, fat chance.

Malignaggi could be a pip during the promotion of his fights too. His back and forth with Broner was more epic than the fight and even more unpleasant. The ever classy Broner brought a girl onto the dais and claimed she was Malignaggi’s ex-girlfriend. When Paulie took the stage after, he rather crassly referred to the woman as “somebody I slept with,”—while she was in the room–and went on to say “Athletes sleep with a lot of women. It’s 2013. It’s what we do. All right?” Look, no one expects boxers to avoid hype in promoting their fights, but one would hope someone as genuinely smart as Paulie could have sidestepped this without being demeaning to women as a whole.

So with all that I’ve just said, how is it that I’ve begun to feel pangs of genuine affection for this trash talking, motor mouthed wise guy whose fights were seldom enjoyable to watch? I have to admit, my reversal has snuck up on me. When I found out Showtime had hired Malignaggi to call fights with Mauro Ranallo and Al Bernstein, I thought this could be the worst announcing trifecta of all time. Ranallo speaks at only one volume (very, very LOUD). Bernstein’s an old pro, but I saw him getting swallowed whole between Ranallo’s roar and the fastest, most abrasive mouth in boxing. Hell, I was ready to watch the matches with the sound off. But guess what? I was wrong. The three of them do pretty well together. Even more surprising is the fact that Malignaggi is the clear stand-out. He’s insightful, funny, quick, and—I can’t believe I’m saying this—he doesn’t talk too much.

Perhaps the best example of Malignaggi’s keen analysis was on display during the Chris Algieri-Ruslan Provodnikov fight last June. While most of us were caught up watching Algieri’s face get rearranged by the bruising Russian, Paulie, working for Sky Sports in the UK,  kept pointing out the higher level of activity and connect rate of Algieri. While Algieri might not have been winning the beauty contest (a rarity for him outside the ring, I’m sure), he was winning more rounds, and therefore, the fight. So when the judges came back with a split decision in Algieri’s favor, not only was Malignaggi right, but by the time the announcer had given the third and deciding score, he was downright prophetic. I have to admit, I got caught up in Algieri’s bruised and battered mug and at the time thought Provodnikov had won. So I rewatched the fight. Only this time through Paulie’s eyes, and I’ll be damned if I wasn’t convinced of his opinion.

So now I have to admit I’m all turned around on this guy. I’ve actually looked back on his fight career and realized something else. I missed it. I missed the fact that a guy who may not have had any stones in his gloves sure had two in his trunks. Imagine being a fighter in the ring with world class competition and knowing you had little to no chance of turning the fight around with a single punch. Or even punches. Paulie Malignaggi had to do it the hard way. He had to use guile, foot speed, hand quickness and a game plan. He had to box, and if that meant sticking and moving in the ring and running off at the mouth out of it to win and get you to pay attention, then that’s just what he was going to do.

So yeah, I blew it during Paulie’s first act, and shame on me for that. But I’m awake now and at full attention. I’m damn sure not going to miss out on the second.

WATCH RELATED VIDEOS ON BOXINGCHANNEL.TV

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Paro
Featured Articles1 week ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles5 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 days ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles6 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles11 hours ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 days ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles5 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles5 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles6 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles1 week ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending