Comments Thread For: “Fighting Words” — The Broner-Malignaggi Gamble

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

by David P. Greisman - Let’s get two things out of the way.

This is not Shane Mosley moving from lightweight to welterweight and later going on to meet and defeat Oscar De La Hoya.

Nor is this Floyd Mayweather moving up to the next weight class after being the champion and facing some of the top names at 130 at 135.

That doesn’t take away from the intrigue. Adrien Broner will likely be moving up two divisions to challenge titleholder Paulie Malignaggi in a bout that already has boxing fans talking nearly as much as the two loquacious prizefighters have been doing.

Let’s not overstate Broner’s move — at least, not yet. But let’s not understate it either.

No, Broner’s reigns in the junior lightweight and lightweight divisions don’t approach those of Mayweather.

Like Broner, Mayweather was precociously young when he captured his first world title, a 21-year-old stopping Genaro Hernandez to become the true champion at 130 pounds. Mayweather went on to defend his belt eight times, culminating with victories over Diego Corrales, Carlos Hernandez and Jesus Chavez. Then came lightweight, a controversial win over Jose Luis Castillo followed by a clearer one in their rematch, establishing Mayweather as the top guy at 135.

And no, Malignaggi is not De La Hoya, whose only pro loss prior to the Mosley fight in 2000 was a highly debated defeat against Felix Trinidad.

While Malignaggi is respected for his skills, heart and accomplishments, he does not stand out in a division that has titleholders in Mayweather, Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley, and also includes Juan Manuel Marquez and even Robert Guerrero, Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz. Mosley’s win over De La Hoya, meanwhile, established a new lineal champion in that division in the wake of Trinidad’s departure for 154, according to Cyber Boxing Zone. [Click Here To Read More]

[newyorican_papi]

Not a good move. I thought I remembered him saying in his post-fight interview versus Rees that he was only in his early twenties and not in a rush to jump in to other weight classes and wanted to let his body grow naturally or something to that affect. The very next week he calls out Malignaggi two weight classes above him even though the 140 lbs division is LOADED?! I'm not understanding the Team's strategy in this move. Nevertheless, I can't see Malignaggi winning this one anyway, but still...where's the pride in fighting the best!?

[Dominicano Soy]

As soon as Broner takes that strap he can expect Thurman to come knocking, this entirely was a stupid career move.

[ROSS CALIFORNIA]

As if we need another thread about this fight. lol

[ROSS CALIFORNIA]

Originally Posted by Dominicano Soy

As soon as Broner takes that strap he can expect Thurman to come knocking, this entirely was a stupid career move.

That remains to be seen, but I think it is too. Maybe we will be surprised with what happens after Paulie.

[S. Saddler 1310]

seems like Schaefer and Haymon have plans for Broner that are contrary to Broner's previous statements that he would (in not so many words) move up in weight when his body demanded it.

[LA_2_Vegas]

I do like this fight style wise and I guess at WW it automatically makes a Broner fight more interesting because of the durability of the guys there, paulie in this case. Broner may stay at a certain level of fighter, rate it whatever you'd like I won't argue, but at least at WW there will be some new things to find out about him. Especially against Paulie who is a levle well above anything he's seen yet....and can still move for a good portion of the fight, with one of the best off-beat jabs around and Broner has struggled with both of those elements in previous fights.

There's no way Broner will be able to keep up with Paulie's fast mouth either, that is going to be funny. I really don't know what the overall plan is but I will just enjoy the build up for this one.

[HangOver]

Originally Posted by Dominicano Soy

As soon as Broner takes that strap he can expect Thurman to come knocking, this entirely was a stupid career move.

Broner is one of the best fighters right now. If he destroys Paulie, like I think he will, why do you think he'll have a problem fighting Thurman? You think Thurman's size will help win him the fight against Broner? Did you see yesterdays fight when Zaveck was timing Thurman? Now Imagine Thurman actually fighting a boxer with faster hands and better timing.

Broner would beat him. All Broner needs is a good nutrionist who will help him put on weight, muscle properly enough so he can maintain his speed and power and he'd beat Thurman.

[newyorican_papi]

Originally Posted by HangOver

Broner is one of the best fighters right now. If he destroys Paulie, like I think he will, why do you think he'll have a problem fighting Thurman? You think Thurman's size will help win him the fight against Broner? Did you see yesterdays fight when Zaveck was timing Thurman? Now Imagine Thurman actually fighting a boxer with faster hands and better timing.

Broner would beat him. All Broner needs is a good nutrionist who will help him put on weight, muscle properly enough so he can maintain his speed and power and he'd beat Thurman.

You cannot compare how he will fare against 1-Time by the results of a Paulie match. Paulie has no power whatsoever and this could easily be a case where Broner walks him down and basically muscles him all night with skill and precision, whereas with Thurman, he will have to rely on pure skill and counterpunching and hopefully not get KTFO.

I still say bad move for him to jump to 147 so early in his career, unless he's got personal issues where he's probably a natural big boy and his body is suffering at those lower weight classes. I just wish I would've seen him challenge that thick division at 140 first.

[S. Saddler 1310]

i keep repeating this over and over, BUT:

networks and promoters need to come together to concentrate on making good televised fights instead of trying to make/manufacture stars.

consistently make good fights, stars will emerge.

whether it turns out to be competitive or not, this is nothing more than a cynical attempt to make Broner appear something more than he is right now, it's a nonsensical match-up besides that.