By Elliot Foster
Paul Malignaggi will box on British shores next month.
The former WBA welterweight champion, 34, is set for an appearance at the O2 Arena in London.
Malignaggi, (34-7, 7 KOs), will challenge for the European title at 147lbs against champion Gianluca Branco (49-3-1, 24 KOs) on December 12, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
He is going into the clash against the man from Lazio on the back of an eight-round decision victory over Laszlo Fazekas in October, which came after his nine-round stoppage defeat at the hands of Danny Garcia in August.
The addition of the fight as a whole to the pay-per-view card comes as an unexpected surprise and is expected to feature on the live broadcast of the bill topped by Anthony Joshua’s Commonwealth and WBC International title defence against long-time rival Dillian Whyte, with the pair vying for the vacant British crown in the heavyweight division.
Civitavecchia native Branco won the continental belt in his last fight, when it was unoccupied, with a six-round retirement victory over Rafal Jackiewicz in November last year.
An official announcement regarding the addition of this contest to the ‘Bad Intentions’ bill in three weeks’ time is expected in due course.
Elliot Foster is part of Boxing Scene's UK team. Follow him on Twitter @FreelanceFoz
