By Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com has learned that the IBF is attempting to prevent Paulie Malignaggi from defend his junior welterweight title against Ricky Hatton on November 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
According to a source close to the situation, the IBF's position is that Herman Ngoudjo, the mandatory, should be the next fighter in line to receive a shot at the title. I hear that situation is trying to be worked out. Malignaggi-Hatton will move forward with or without the IBF title at stake. Hatton's lesser-known IBO title might be the only trinket up for grabs when they step in the ring.
Malignaggi already won a close decision over Ngoudjo in January. It was far from a pretty fight and nobody, including Malignaggi, wants to see the fight again. There is zero chance that HBO or Showtime would even think about picking up a Maliganggi-Ngoudjo fight. Ngoudjo beat Souleymane M'baye in June to become the mandatory.
