Can Paulie Malignaggi upset Juan Diaz? Poll!

[DrewWoodside]

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

- Paulie is Pissed OFF! Reading and hearing his recent interviews, he sounds like someone who just got robbed and they haven't even fought yet. This may be the added motivation he needs to bite down and throw that right hand. All the frustrations regarding his career are going to get taken out on Diaz' face.
- After seeing them faceoff, Paulie is noticeably taller than Diaz.
- SCAR TISSUE. Diaz changes after cuts. He's also prone to cut. As I said later in this thread. Both his losses were contributed to heavily by cuts and he's also pulled out of a world title defense due to a cut suffered in sparring.
- 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.

[karrapato]

Malignaggi at his best can upset a lot of guys. But he has not the focus needed to be a champion for much time.

[Sparked_1985]

I'm thinking there is a very decent chance the Magicman can pull this one off. Here they are 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 piss poor 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 deliver a similar upset to Cintron/Angulo.

With all that said. Paulie could just be a fighter fully on the decline.. Poll to follow, Please discuss.

I think this is a pick'em fight. I'd like Paulie to win, he didn't do himself justice gainst The Paler. He had a decent 1st round, then got caught big in the 2nd and became completely discouraged, regardless of hand problems. He was fully on the retreat then.

[DrewWoodside]

I think this is a pick'em fight. I'd like Paulie to win, he didn't do himself justice gainst The Paler. He had a decent 1st round, then got caught big in the 2nd and became completely discouraged, regardless of hand problems. He was fully on the retreat then.

I think if he can get anywhere near his form in his first fight with Lovemore N'dou he can really shock a lot of people. Baby Bull is good at smothering fighters. Paulie at his best is big enough not to get overwhelmed and fast enough not to be trapped. However, Paulie's movement has been lessening with every fight. Even the Paulie who fought Ngoudju could give Diaz problems.

[cosmichorn]

Paulie by TKO

[The Gully Gad]

I cant see how he can pull off the upset at all unless by a freak mircle..

[Mersey]

I think if he calls him names and tells some "yo momma" jokes he might upset him

[freeloada]

anything is possible.. but he's too interested in entertaining fans instead of actually boxing in the ring.. if he gets his head right i think he'd be a great fighter..

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

Paulie could get the upset but I think that Diaz pressure will be too much for him. Paulie will have to really put on a boxing display in order to beat Diaz who I also think back is against the wall.

He has 2 defeats already and is looking to make his way back into serious contention. Look for Diaz to pressure Paulie all night long and beat him down methodicaly.

Could be a grueling fight for Paulie even if he wins the early rounds.

[dans]

The problem with Paulie winning the fight has more to do with Juan Diaz. Diaz is a B+ fighter and Paulie is only a B- on his best day. And since Paulie's best days are behind him and he's basically one handed, I'd say he's in for a beating. I think this will go the distance though. Juan doesn't have the power to KO Paulie. The only way I see a stoppage is if it's a TKO. Juan has the ability to swamp Paulie into a stoppage, but he doesn't have the power to actually KO him IMO.

I see Juan Diaz winning a UD.