what if: Juan Diaz vs. Paulie Malignaggi @ 140?

[Mojita]

I don't think 135 and 140 makes a big difference, Paulie wouldn't impose his size anyways. If Diaz weighed in at 135 and Paulie at 140, I still think Diaz would win.

Just because Diaz hasn't faced a boxer like Malignaggi doesn't mean he can't beat a boxer like Malignaggi. I actually like Malignaggi a lot and have rooted for him in every fight since Cotto, but Juan Diaz's defense, workrate, and combos are at such a high level that you need to beat him up to beat him. Diaz is an excellent well-rounded boxer, far moreso than Paulie.

How is Paulie going to break Diaz's shell when he depends on movement and a quick jab? Diaz covers up and only opens himself when he throws combos, which is where he could win the fight solely on workrate because he wouldn't worry about Paulie's counterpunching. Comfortable UD for Diaz.

like i said before, im not discrediting Diaz skill but i havent seen him with faster boxer-skilled opp. you can be in a shell allday but when your going to punch, and you cant catch the guy as much that combination, workrate goes byebye diaz

[AceNguyen]

It's hard to say how Diaz would do with the extra 5 pounds, he's already a pretty small lightweight, adding more fat and/or muscle could affect him significantly so right now my pick is Malignaggi.

Juan Diaz comes into fights at around 145, I don't think making the 140 limit would hurt him at all. He wouldn't have to add any fat or muscle, he'd just have to drain himself less. It's not like he'd be fighting a big or pressure-style fighter.

[Komander]

Juan Diaz by KO! Paul Mali***gi is a *****.

[Silencers]

Juan Diaz comes into fights at around 145, I don't think making the 140 limit would hurt him at all. He wouldn't have to add any fat or muscle, he'd just have to drain himself less. It's not like he'd be fighting a big or pressure-style fighter.

He's used to his opponents being 135 pounders as well, he bullies opponents back, can he do that at 140? Those extra 5 pounds could play against him, he's all about fast hands, fast movement, punches in bunches etc. those 5 pounds could affect him a lot.

[AceNguyen]

you can be in a shell allday but when your going to punch, and you cant catch the guy as much that combination, workrate goes byebye diaz

This is very true against good defensive fighters, the guy in the shell would find nothing to hit when he unloads. Paulie, however, gets hit a lot for a slickster and loves to trade shots. Paulie isn't great at slipping punches, he is more of a retreater. This normally works fine because he's able to pop his jab as he's going backwards, but Diaz would exploit this as he actually comes forward while throwing combos. Like I said before, I think this is a horrible style matchup for Paulie.