Malignaggi Says He Wants a Title Shot Against Porter Or Maidana

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Last year former WBA titlist Paulie Malignaggi reinvented himself inside and outside the ring. First he gave a spirited effort against Adrien Broner, and then he went on to win decisive victory over former World Champion and fellow Brooklynite Zab Judah in a fight which was dubbed “King of Brooklyn.”

After the Broner loss, Malignaggi added some new members to his management team. One of these new members is the socially elusive Al Haymon. Malignaggi is not only excited about how this year will go for him, he feels he finally has the team behind him that can propel him not only to where he once was, but even further. Malignaggi stated, “I have no doubts with Team Haymon and Sam (Watson). They work very hard for me and Golden Boy Promotions, Anthony Cannizarro. I have a great team around me. Guys I trust and now with the addition of Team Haymon, it’s guys who can push me to get to the big big level.”

After his 12 round blowout of Judah, who in his previous fight wasn’t even as badly beaten by the WBA and WBC Junior Welterweight Champion Danny Garcia, many feel that Malignaggi has the boxing ability to give anyone in the division issues. The welterweight division has been flooded by talented prospects turned contenders, and with a plethora of options that he has with Golden Boy Promotions, the “Magic Man” has his eyes set on the top and a title shot. “I want a title shot, Maidana would be a great fight. Shawn Porter has a world title. I want a title shot and a chance to be a three-time World Champion,” Malignaggi claimed.

Not only is Malignaggi a great boxer but it seems that he can’t do an interview anymore without someone complimenting his commentating skills as part of the Showtime broadcast team. Some fighters claim to never watch footage of other fighters but Paulie is in the unique position to not only see most of the fighters that he will face but part of his job at Showtime is to analyze the fights they are in. With Porter and Maidana recently winning titles, Malignaggi says it’s not vulnerability he sees; he wants what they have. “When somebody has a world title, you are always interested in what kind of opportunity you have to fight for the world title. Porter has a world title, Maidana has a world title. These are guys you don’t necessarily have to see weakness in them to fight them. You just want a chance to be a world champion.”