By Bill "Two Scoops" Emes
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer is expecting some fireworks in the ring, and during the pre-fight promotions, when Adrien Broner (26-0, 22 KOs) leaves the WBC lightweight title behind and jumps up by two weight divisions to challenge Paulie Malignaggi (32-4, 7 KOs) for the WBA welterweight crown in an HBO televised main event on June 22 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
"Two real exciting talkers, two of the best talkers in the sport and I think it's really going to be an exciting fight. Each one deserves credit here. We have some media members who are picking Paulie here, saying it's too much, too soon for Broner - that Paulie is too big. And then you have others who are saying that Broner is just going to walk through Paulie. It's an evenly matched fight. Some people called me when we were thinking about that fight and were telling me 'Broner is never going to do that, Paulie is too big.' So I have to give it up to Broner for stepping up to the plate and to Paulie for taking on one of boxing's youngest and most talked about stars," Schaefer said.
There was some talk of doing Broner on June 15th against WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns, but Schaefer states that Scottish boxer missed his opportunity and also has contractual issues with current promoter Frank Warren.
"No [we are not considering Burns], because we have agreed to terms with both fighters [Broner and Malignaggi]. We have been chasing Ricky Burns for a while, offered him a lot of money and he didn't want to do it. Now he says he's a free agent but its not so easy to just hold a press conference or make a statement that you're a free agent. It doesn't work like that. I think Frank Warren thinks a bit different and Frank Warren sent me documents that clearly shows that he still has him under contract," Schaefer said.