Malignaggi: I Would Knock Hatton Out in a Rematch!

By Ryan Burton

A very fired up Paulie Malignaggi joined us on the most recent edition of BoxingScene's official audio show, The Boxing Lab. The Italian-American fighter spoke on a variety of topics including a potential future rematch against Ricky Hatton.
 
Malignaggi would like nothing more than a chance to avenge his 2008 TKO loss to Hatton. Not only is he confident of coming away with the victory but he feels that he would stop The Hitman. 

"There is no doubt in my mind that I beat Ricky Hatton in a rematch. I am more confident than I was in the Juan Diaz rematch. I guarantee that I won't lose one second of one round against Hatton in a rematch and I will knock him out."

Malignaggi was trained by Buddy McGirt for their first encounter and said that the trainer was a bad fit for his style.  He thinks that he would stop Hatton at any point in his career where McGirt wasn't in his corner.

If the Hatton rematch comes to fruition, he doesn't want Hatton's three and a half year layoff to be an excuse should he lose.

"(Knocking Hatton out) has nothing to do with the layoff. He could have fought me in 2005, 2006 or in 2012 and I would have knocked him out. My only regret is that I didn't have this team around me earlier in my career when I was in my prime," Malignaggi explained. 

Malignaggi wants nothing more than a Hatton rematch but said that he isn't going to let the Brit dictate all of the terms of the fight. The first fight took place in Las Vegas where Hatton routinely drew thousands of fans. Malignaggi said that he will have a say in where the rematch takes place.

"Ricky is not the only option. I'm the world champion. I have a say in that.  There are other fight fights that interest me. Devon Alexander interests me and so does an Amir Khan rematch," Malignaggi revealed.

You can listen to the interview in its entirety by clicking here: http://tobtr.com/s/3740637

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton