By Victor Salazar

New York - Former two division world champion Paulie Malignaggi played two roles last Saturday night. To begin his night, he was a fighter. Making a return to his hometown arena in the Barclays Center to defend his Brooklyn title against fellow Brooklynite Gabriel Bracero - Malignaggi boxed his way to a ten round decision win.

After the fight, he was part of the Showtime broadcast team where he was impressed with Mikey Garcia’s return.

“Mikey looked good, Mikey looked real good,” Malignaggi told BoxingScene.com. “I think Elio Rojas will give people a lot of problems at 130 pounds. Everyone will have problems with Mikey when he’s landing power shots. I’ve known Elio a long time and he’s a good fighter stuck with a Don King contract and as is everyone in Don King contracts, you never find out who they are.”

Malignaggi feels if Rojas moves back down to 130, he can provide a lot of problems to the current world champions in the division.

“I was always very impressed with Elio but I haven’t seen him in a long time,” stated Malignaggi. “I think he could beat some of the champions in 130 lbs.”

But the eyes were all on Mikey Garcia in his return. Garcia shook off the ring rust, putting Rojas on the ground numerous times until he eventually got the stoppage. Garcia says he wants to make a run at 135 lbs. Malignaggi feels he will do well there and hopefully down the road he gets a big fight, maybe even against Terence Crawford.

“I think right now Mikey is ready to conquer 135,” stated Malignaggi. “I’d favor Mikey against any of the lightweights right now whether it’s Jorge Linares, Dejan Zlatacanin, which would be a fun fight. I think so would Terry Flanagan be a fun fight. I think Mikey is a better fighter though it’d be a fun fights. But I think in the long run you can make that fight with Terence Crawford if he stays at super lightweight.”