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Paulie: I'll Take Khan's Title
PAULIE MALIGNAGGI has warned Amir Khan: I'm going to crush your American dream.
Khan's WBA light-welterweight title will be on the line when he fights on US soil for the first time against Malignaggi in New York on May 15.
And the Magic Man believes he will send the Bolton ace back across the pond nursing the second defeat of his career.
He said: "I don't want to say this, but Khan's had a bit of the red carpet treatment so far.
"I'll give the kid some credit, but I've definitely fought better fighters.
"I'm constantly improving and getting better.
"On May 15, Khan will get his second loss — and Paulie Malignaggi will be the new WBA champion."
Khan's last outing saw him destroy Dmitriy Salita inside a round in December.
Salita was put down three times in 76 seconds but Malignaggi remains unimpressed by the Bolton ace, who was knocked out by Breidis Prescott in September 2008.
When Khan's manager Asif Vali recalled the demolition job during a pre-fight press conference in London, Malignaggi eased back into his chair with a massive grin on his face.
And he explained the smug smile by claiming Salita was nowhere near ready to fight for a world title.
Malignaggi told SunSport: "Dmitriy's a nice kid but he hadn't really tested himself to get to that level.
"I've known him a long time and the fact he hadn't had that experience caught up with him.
"Dmitriy's better than he showed against Amir, but the moment grips you if you haven't been there before.
"If you haven't been in that kind of atmosphere, it's hard to take in when you get to the ring.
"But in Paulie Malignaggi, Amir's facing somebody who's been there and done that.
"I've fought in front of rough crowds and faced championship-level opponents.
"In my opinion, he's facing the best fighter he's ever boxed in his career."
Malignaggi is already known to British fight fans following his clash with Ricky Hatton in November 2008.
The New Yorker failed to impress before being stopped in the 11th round by Hatton in Las Vegas.
But he insists Khan will come up against a totally different fighter when they square off at Madison Square Garden's Theatre.
Malignaggi, who is now under the guidance of Sharif Younan, added: "I don't think I left the British fans with great memories of me.
"The Hatton fight was probably one of my worst performances. I don't feel Ricky or the general public got to see the real Paulie Malignaggi.
"But I have a trainer now who knows my strengths. I really feel I have the strongest team around me — and I'm still young enough to do some damage.
"I'm a much better fighter today than when I fought Hatton."
http://www.thesun.co...-Amir-Khan.html
Khan's WBA light-welterweight title will be on the line when he fights on US soil for the first time against Malignaggi in New York on May 15.
And the Magic Man believes he will send the Bolton ace back across the pond nursing the second defeat of his career.
He said: "I don't want to say this, but Khan's had a bit of the red carpet treatment so far.
"I'll give the kid some credit, but I've definitely fought better fighters.
"I'm constantly improving and getting better.
"On May 15, Khan will get his second loss — and Paulie Malignaggi will be the new WBA champion."
Khan's last outing saw him destroy Dmitriy Salita inside a round in December.
Salita was put down three times in 76 seconds but Malignaggi remains unimpressed by the Bolton ace, who was knocked out by Breidis Prescott in September 2008.
When Khan's manager Asif Vali recalled the demolition job during a pre-fight press conference in London, Malignaggi eased back into his chair with a massive grin on his face.
And he explained the smug smile by claiming Salita was nowhere near ready to fight for a world title.
Malignaggi told SunSport: "Dmitriy's a nice kid but he hadn't really tested himself to get to that level.
"I've known him a long time and the fact he hadn't had that experience caught up with him.
"Dmitriy's better than he showed against Amir, but the moment grips you if you haven't been there before.
"If you haven't been in that kind of atmosphere, it's hard to take in when you get to the ring.
"But in Paulie Malignaggi, Amir's facing somebody who's been there and done that.
"I've fought in front of rough crowds and faced championship-level opponents.
"In my opinion, he's facing the best fighter he's ever boxed in his career."
Malignaggi is already known to British fight fans following his clash with Ricky Hatton in November 2008.
The New Yorker failed to impress before being stopped in the 11th round by Hatton in Las Vegas.
But he insists Khan will come up against a totally different fighter when they square off at Madison Square Garden's Theatre.
Malignaggi, who is now under the guidance of Sharif Younan, added: "I don't think I left the British fans with great memories of me.
"The Hatton fight was probably one of my worst performances. I don't feel Ricky or the general public got to see the real Paulie Malignaggi.
"But I have a trainer now who knows my strengths. I really feel I have the strongest team around me — and I'm still young enough to do some damage.
"I'm a much better fighter today than when I fought Hatton."
http://www.thesun.co...-Amir-Khan.html
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