By Phil D. Jay

Welterweight Paulie Malignaggi has only just set foot back in his native New York following his WBA title victory over Vyacheslav Senchenko in the Ukraine and the ‘Magic Man’ is already finds himself a wanted man after becoming a two-weight world champion.

The 31 year-old is already linked to bouts with compatriots Zab Judah and Devon Alexander, but Matchroom Promotions’ Eddie Hearn is willing to pit his highly-ranked unbeaten prospect Kell Brook against Malignaggi and is even prepared for another trip the US with the Sheffield fighter.

“It’s a fight we'd obviously love, but so to would many 147-pound contenders,” Hearn told World Boxing News.

“Our immediate focus is on July 7 and ideally we want to manoeuvre into a mandatory position for a world title.

“Brook vs. Paulie in the autumn would be a huge fight and we'd fight home or away,” he added.

Brook, 25, made his American debut last December with a fifth round TKO win over Luis Galarza and followed it up with a win over former world title challenger Matthew Hatton to confirm his status as the best 147lb fighter in the UK.

‘The Special One’ will return to scene of his greatest victory in the summer before eyeing a world title shot by the end of the year, with Malignaggi and the winner of the upcoming vacant IBF title clash between Mike Jones and Randall Bailey top of the wanted list.

Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net