By Edward Chaykovsky
Sam Eggington (19-3, 11 KOs) would love to travel to New York for a future fight with former two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi (36-7, 7 KOs).
Malignaggi is hoping to get a crack at the European welterweight title, which is held by Ceferino Rodriguez (24-1, 12 KOs) of Spain. He captured the title last month with a twelve round split decision over Ahmed El Mousaoui. Rodriguez has won six in a row since suffering his only career defeat back in April of 2015.
Eggington knocked out Frank Gavin last October to become the mandatory challenger to Rodriguez's EBU title. He has no problem with Malignaggi getting first crack at Rodriguez - because if Malignaggi wins it would set up a high profile fight. Rodriguez has some time to make a voluntary defense. At the same time, Eggington is pursuing the shot against Rodriguez - and it's all about which fighter secures the shot first.
If Eggington gets there first and defeats Rodriguez, he would be happy to travel across the ocean to defend the belt against Malignaggi.
Up first, Eggington will take a stay busy fight next month in Hull or in March as part of the David Haye vs. Tony Bellew undercard at the O2 Arena in London.
“The Malignaggi fight would be great for me, I’m all over that, but it is likely for later in the year. My situation right now is that I am mandatory for the European title, Rodriguez is the champion and the plan is to get that fight. It’s looking like the European shot might be a bit later than anticipated because he has time for a voluntary defence. We tried to get it on the Haye-Bellew bill in March, but that date may be a bit soon for it," Eggington told Sky Sports.
“He wants to fight for the belt in New York and I’m all over that. Whether he wins the European title or I do, I’m happy to go over there. It’s a good move for me in general, he’s a big name and if I beat him people will start recognising me - it’s a high profile fight. It is looking likely that my next outing will be a warm-up fight on either the February Hull bill or the Haye-Bellew bill.
“After that it will be the European title fight, I’ve heard there is a Birmingham show in May so it could not land any better than to have a European title fight in my home city - I’ll be over the moon with that. Then, if you could pencil in to go to New York after that I would be very happy, but this is boxing, you never know what will happen.”
