Can Paulie Malignaggi upset Juan Diaz? Poll!

[MJ406]

nothing is a sure thing in boxing.

but I've been under the impression that Paulie hasn't looked good since the first fight vs Lovemore and peaked in that fight

wouldn't rule out a victory by Paulie .. but IMO the odds of him ever getting back to that level are very unlikely.

[DrewWoodside]

nothing is a sure thing in boxing.

but I've been under the impression that Paulie hasn't looked good since the first fight vs Lovemore and peaked in that fight

wouldn't rule out a victory by Paulie .. but IMO the odds of him ever getting back to that level are very unlikely.

Okay.. Paulie recently released those remarks sounding fairly insecure and almost like he was accepting defeat. I still think it's possible for him to win. 2 things have to happen.
1. He has to have reasonable confidence in his right hand & it has to not break.
2. He has to cut Juan Diaz. Diaz fell apart both times he lost after a cut. He also had to pull out of a title defense against Ebo Elder due to a cut in sparring. He obviously has issues with scar tissue so it may not take much to open him up again. Malignaggi opens that cut and he has a very decent chance.
However, he could just really hurt his hand and quit in his corner or something like that. He does sound a bit mentally defeated. I hope he opens up the cut so we can atleast have an entertaining fight Saturday.

[D-MiZe]

Diaz is a very aggressive fighter and the only thing that would stop him midway through an attack is getting caught with a powerful shot.

Malignaggi doesn't have that power to intimidate and make Diaz back down. He'll get swarmed by Diaz's attacks and ultimately lose.

[Pullcounter]

I'm thinking there is a very decent chance the Magicman can pull this one off. Here are my reasons in bullet point:

- His back is to the wall, which is when a fighter is most dangerous/motivated. If he loses, this is likely his last chance for a while to headline a major televised card.
- Paulie is naturally bigger. Diaz will be coming up slightly in weight and against a natural 140 lber.
- Paulie has split with trainer Buddy Mcgirt. It's possible their chemistry had gone stale, some new blood could really refresh his game.
- It’s unlikely Juan Diaz’ power can hurt Paulie. Paulie likely could have finished his fight with Hatton had Mcgirt not thrown in the towel.
- Paulie is more agile than Diaz.
- Paulie is generally being underrated on the basis of his performance against Hatton. If Paulie can find the courage and durability not to break his right hand, and actually throw it, he will be a whole new fighter.
- No one is giving Paulie a chance to win the fight! The boxing world overlooking him could be causing Diaz to unconsciously overlook him to some degree in training.
- Swift lateral movement and a stiff jab could result in an upset similar to Cintron/Angulo.

Poll to follow, Please discuss.

paulie can't win. he's fighting in houston. he will need a stoppage which is unlikely.

[DrewWoodside]

Diaz is a very aggressive fighter and the only thing that would stop him midway through an attack is getting caught with a powerful shot.

Malignaggi doesn't have that power to intimidate and make Diaz back down. He'll get swarmed by Diaz's attacks and ultimately lose.

I'm trying to be the only guy who doesn't own a pizzeria or have shaved eye brows to give Paulie a chance to upset. If you can open a cut with a jab then Paulie has a chance.(however unlikely that may be.)

[Glamour Puss]

I'm thinking there is a very decent chance the Magicman can pull this one off. Here are my reasons in bullet point:

- His back is to the wall, which is when a fighter is most dangerous/motivated. If he loses, this is likely his last chance for a while to headline a major televised card.
- Paulie is naturally bigger. Diaz will be coming up slightly in weight and against a natural 140 lber.
- Paulie has split with trainer Buddy Mcgirt. It's possible their chemistry had gone stale, some new blood could really refresh his game.
- It’s unlikely Juan Diaz’ power can hurt Paulie. Paulie likely could have finished his fight with Hatton had Mcgirt not thrown in the towel.
- Paulie is more agile than Diaz.
- Paulie is generally being underrated on the basis of his performance against Hatton. If Paulie can find the courage and durability not to break his right hand, and actually throw it, he will be a whole new fighter.
- No one is giving Paulie a chance to win the fight! The boxing world overlooking him could be causing Diaz to unconsciously overlook him to some degree in training.
- Swift lateral movement and a stiff jab could result in an upset similar to Cintron/Angulo.

Poll to follow, Please discuss.

All of your points are possible. But the bold I disagree with.

Diaz can and probably will hurt Paulie badly, maybe even force him to quit.

The only thing Paulie can do is hold him excessively like he always does.

I hope the ref stops that **** early otherwise, it will be a usual Paulie hold fest.

The only reason Berto/Collazo was as good as it was is cuz' the ref threatened Berto w/ a point deduction in the second or third round for holding.

[DrewWoodside]

All of your points are possible. But the bold I disagree with.

Diaz can and probably will hurt Paulie badly, maybe even force him to quit.

The only thing Paulie can do is hold him excessively like he always does.

I hope the ref stops that **** early otherwise, it will be a usual Paulie hold fest.

The only reason Berto/Collazo was as good as it was is cuz' the ref threatened Berto w/ a point deduction in the second or third round for holding.

I do agree, I don't want to see a cuddlefest. I always support the ref getting involved in those situations.

[Picazo]

i think this move up in weight class will be good for diaz. he gots a mad work rate, and with a little more weight behind those punches. he can bring paulie down.

[Bushidō]

no. He doesn't have enough power to get Diaz off o f him

[DrewWoodside]

i think this move up in weight class will be good for diaz. he gots a mad work rate, and with a little more weight behind those punches. he can bring paulie down.

He was already soft in the middle.. If he was a chubby guy at LW he's gonna be noticeably big unless he decides to start converting some of that weight into muscle..