By Jake Donovan
Paulie Malignaggi now has an opponent for his return to the ring on December 18.
The former junior welterweight titlist revealed during Thursday night’s webcast of Fight Night Club that he will be facing Mexican brawler Michael Lozada in what will serve as his welterweight debut, as well as his first fight with his new promoter, Golden Boy Promotions.
The bout will take place at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, Canada, on the non-televised portion of the December 18 Showtime card headlined by Jean Pascal’s light heavyweight title defense against former lineal middleweight king Bernard Hopkins.
Malignaggi (27-4, 5KO) returns to the ring for the first time since suffering a one-sided 11th round stoppage at the hands of Amir Khan. Retirement was briefly considered by the outspoken Brooklyn native, before deciding on a career makeover.
During the Fight Night Club webcast in which he served as guest commentator, Malignaggi – who will celebrate his 30th birthday on November 23 - insisted that he is done with the junior welterweight division, where he had spent pretty much all of his nine-year pro career.
Lozada (34-6, 29KO) enters the fight riding a three-fight win streak, though none coming against live opposition.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com and an award-winning member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Contact Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com.
