Zab Judah Hoping To Land Malignaggi at Barclays

By Rick Reeno

Zab Judah (42-8, 29KOs) is hoping to land a hometown showdown with fellow former champion Paulie Malignaggi (32-5, 7KOs) - where the two of them would collide to prove which boxer is the "king of Brooklyn." The venue of choice for that match would be Brooklyn's Barclays Center. The venue has an exclusive deal with Golden Boy Promotions, who also promote both Malignaggi and Judah.

Malignaggi is open to facing Judah, and ready to hit camp - but only for the right money. Malignaggi was not pleased with some of the early numbers being discussed and wants to get paid in the same manner that other fighters are being paid. Malignaggi specifically said that he wants to get paid in the same manner that "Al Haymon managed fighters are getting paid."

"I'm looking for Paulie. I'm hollaring at Paulie. We're trying to pull him out the woodwork. I think if we make it at the Barclays Center - I think it makes a great fight for Brooklyn. Paulie has great skills, fast hands, and he's a force to be reckoned with. I think that we should get the 'who's the king of Brooklyn' going on,'" Judah told BoxingScene.com.

"I understand he wants to negotiate his business and feed his family. I understand that, but my thing is - let’s give the fans great fights. Fans want to see great fights. We have that huge, beautiful arena - let’s put a great fight in there and make it happen."