By Rick Reeno
Promoter Lou DiBella is already making plans to secure another major fight for Paulie Malignaggi, the former IBF junior welterweight champion. Malignaggi lost a twelve round decision to Juan Diaz on Saturday night in Houston, Texas. Many of the ringside observers, including a good portion of the viewing audience and HBO's unofficial score keeper Harold Lederman - scored the fight for Malignaggi.
Despite the setback, DiBella sees a lot of world class opportunities for Malignaggi. While some have disagreed on the scores, almost everyone agrees that Malignaggi put on his best performance since the title winning effort over Lovemore N'dou in June of 2007.
Following the event, DiBella spoke with BoxingScene.com about some of the post-fight plans for the "Magic Man." The fight he would really like to make is Paulie Malignaggi vs. WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan. Based on some of the recent happenings, Khan should have the ability to make an optional defense before facing either Marcos Maidana or Dmitriy Salita.
"I thought Paulie looked great tonight. He fought one hell of a fight. I would really like to put him in the ring with Amir Khan. If that fight can't be made, and Juan Manuel Marquez loses against to [Floyd] Mayweather, then I would probably try to get him a fight with Marquez," DiBella said.
