By Carlos Boogs
Last Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London, most fans were well aware that former two division world champion Paulie Malignaggi (36-8, 7 KOs) had likely stepped in the ring, as a fighter, for the final time.
In a bout for the WBC International welterweight title, the 36 year old veteran was knocked out in eight rounds by British contender Sam Eggington (20-3, 12 KOs)
Even as the older man, Malignaggi was viewed as the favorite in the fight. And at the time of the stoppage he was leading on two of the three official scorecards.
For most of the contest it was apparent that Eggington was too big, too strong, and his youthful drive was too much for Malignaggi to overcome.
Malignaggi was returning from off a ten round unanimous decision win over Gabe Bracero from last July. He had won his last three in the ring and was close to securing a shot at the EBU title. The loss to Eggington was the nail in coffin. At 36, Maliggnaggi admitted that he's run out of time to rebuild his career for one final run.
Malignaggi has other business ventures, invested his money well and also has a successful career as a broadcast analyst for Showtime and Sky Sports.
"Nineteen years ago today, I entered the ring for the first time as an amateur. That makes this as good a time as any to announce my retirement form competition," Malignaggi wrote to his social media followers.
"My life is in a place 19 years later that I never dreamed it could be in, and I have boxing to thank for that. I'm looking forward to a long, fruitful career now behind the mic, staying around the sport I love so much and the sport that changed my life for the better."
