Malignaggi: Referee Did Great Stoppage in Hindsight

By Victor Salazar

Brooklyn, New York- The career of the ‘Magic Man’ Paulie Malignaggi (33-7, 7 KO’s) may have ended last night against Danny Garcia. Malignaggi was stopped in the ninth round by Garcia and is likely calling it a career. Malignaggi says the rigors of training camp and the level he wished to compete on are factors on him considering to likely retire.

“I feel like I can still compete but against the elite I feel like I may keep coming up short. It’s a tough decision to have to come to grips with,” Malignaggi told BoxingScene.com. “This is probably my last fight. I don’t think I have it in me to make weight and be in camp. Props to Memo Heredia. He had me in a great diet. He taught me a lot on how to make weight but training camp’s not fun anymore.”

The shot that was the final call for Malignaggi was a right that may have had damage to the ear drum of Malignaggi. Arthur Mercante called a stop to the fight while Malignaggi was still on his feet. Malignaggi stumbled of a two punch combination and let off a big gasp; that’s when the fight was called off.

The ‘Magic Man’ had no issues with the stoppage.

“It was an overhand right that hit me in my ear kind of messed up my ear drum. At first I was upset with the stoppage but in hindsight I was ok with it. I’m not the 25 year old kid who fought Cotto. I would have definitely gone crazy. At 34 years old I still don’t bite my tongue but thinking about it, it was a good stoppage. Arthur Mercante did a great stoppage in hindsight, it was a good stoppage.”