By Rick Reeno
Former world champion Paulie Malignaggi was amused by the recent comments from WBA 140-pound champion Amir Khan. Negotiations are ongoing to finalize a deal that matches Kahn against Malignaggi on May 15 at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Khan, during in an interview with the British media, said Malignaggi was “not on his level.” The “Magic Man” has never been the type to stay quiet. In fact he was very eager to respond.
“He's the only one with the reputation for getting stopped. He was knocked out so bad by Breidis Prescott, if you had asked him his name that night, he wouldn't be able to tell you his name. You have never seen Paulie Malignaggi like that. That's funny coming from a guy who gets smoked in that way. I've been in the ring with the best in the world,” Malignaggi told BoxingScene.com
“I hope he doesn't think that he can come to New York and fight a New York fighter and expects an easy night. I hope he understands that I’m the best fighter that he ever fought. This will be his welcome to big time boxing.”
Malignaggi tells BoxingScene he expects a big 2010. He views Khan as the start of a banner year. Malignaggi has studied the champion’s style and doesn’t see any chance of Khan walking away with the win. He respects Khan as a fighter, but he doesn’t respect his level of opposition.
“I think the fruits of my labor are showing and now I have a title shot and a chance to become a two-time world champion. I really think I can beat Amir Khan. I'm not saying that he's a bad fighter but I don't see how he can win the fight. I feel like I'm at the best point of my career right now,” Malignaggi said.
“I hope he understands that he's not fighting an old veteran or a champion like Kotelnik who was tailor-made for him and flat-flooted. I'm a former world champion who is still in his prime and coming to take his title away from him. Golden Boy is putting him in this fight to see if he can sink or swim, and I'm going to drown him.”
