Comments Thread For: “Fighting Words” — The Broner-Malignaggi Gamble

[illpapi]

by David P. Greisman - Let’s get two things out of the way.

This is not Shane Mosley moving from lightweight to welterweight and later going on to meet and defeat Oscar De La Hoya.

Nor is this Floyd Mayweather moving up to the next weight class after being the champion and facing some of the top names at 130 at 135.

That doesn’t take away from the intrigue. Adrien Broner will likely be moving up two divisions to challenge titleholder Paulie Malignaggi in a bout that already has boxing fans talking nearly as much as the two loquacious prizefighters have been doing.

Let’s not overstate Broner’s move — at least, not yet. But let’s not understate it either.

No, Broner’s reigns in the junior lightweight and lightweight divisions don’t approach those of Mayweather.

Like Broner, Mayweather was precociously young when he captured his first world title, a 21-year-old stopping Genaro Hernandez to become the true champion at 130 pounds. Mayweather went on to defend his belt eight times, culminating with victories over Diego Corrales, Carlos Hernandez and Jesus Chavez. Then came lightweight, a controversial win over Jose Luis Castillo followed by a clearer one in their rematch, establishing Mayweather as the top guy at 135.

And no, Malignaggi is not De La Hoya, whose only pro loss prior to the Mosley fight in 2000 was a highly debated defeat against Felix Trinidad.

While Malignaggi is respected for his skills, heart and accomplishments, he does not stand out in a division that has titleholders in Mayweather, Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley, and also includes Juan Manuel Marquez and even Robert Guerrero, Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz. Mosley’s win over De La Hoya, meanwhile, established a new lineal champion in that division in the wake of Trinidad’s departure for 154, according to Cyber Boxing Zone. [Click Here To Read More]

This is one of the reasons why to me this guy will remain to be a made up star with a little hype in there. Now, don't get me wrong I do think the guy has skills but talks like he's Mayweather times two and then pulls this? Come on now! He skips the packed 140 division to go after someone who he is expected to win. I mean tell me someone please....when was the last time he fought someone we thought...oh, wow...this could be a challenge for Broner....this guy is NOT what he thinks he is. I will ramain a big critic until proven otherwise!

[newyorican_papi]

This is one of the reasons why to me this guy will remain to be a made up star with a little hype in there. Now, don't get me wrong I do think the guy has skills but talks like he's Mayweather times two and then pulls this? Come on now! He skips the packed 140 division to go after someone who he is expected to win. I mean tell me someone please....when was the last time he fought someone we thought...oh, wow...this could be a challenge for Broner....this guy is NOT what he thinks he is. I will ramain a big critic until proven otherwise!

Bro, give him a chance. He's what 21, 22? Let's wait 5-10 years from now before we start describing who he has ducked and fought in his career and debating his legacy. He's a baby still, and I'm actually happy for him even being this popular at this early stage of his career.

[Jloro]

Bro, give him a chance. He's what 21, 22? Let's wait 5-10 years from now before we start describing who he has ducked and fought in his career and debating his legacy. He's a baby still, and I'm actually happy for him even being this popular at this early stage of his career.

It's amazing lol I have friends who barely watch boxing but I watched Broner Rees with them and now they talk about him (and a few others) I sense a good future for him if he doesn't **** up or turn out to have a glass chin or something

[jinx_htx]

Give the guy a break. He's barely getting started. He's got charisma and attracts alot of attention. Why is everybody ready to throw him to the sharks at the 140lb division? Let him work his way up slowly(quality not weight) and make some money while he's at it. If he can make some nice change by beating a hype job like malignaggi more power to him. I mean damn if you're going to get paid to get punched in the face you might as well make as much money as you can doing it.

[gauze]

i keep repeating this over and over, BUT:

networks and promoters need to come together to concentrate on making good televised fights instead of trying to make/manufacture stars.

consistently make good fights, stars will emerge.

whether it turns out to be competitive or not, this is nothing more than a cynical attempt to make Broner appear something more than he is right now, it's a nonsensical match-up besides that.

i agree. it would be like having the playoffs in another sport and telling one of the teams they cant play because we need to create stars so we're gonna let the more marketable team play the team that finished dead last this season.

[GRUSTLER]

i keep repeating this over and over, BUT:

networks and promoters need to come together to concentrate on making good televised fights instead of trying to make/manufacture stars.

consistently make good fights, stars will emerge.

whether it turns out to be competitive or not, this is nothing more than a cynical attempt to make Broner appear something more than he is right now, it's a nonsensical match-up besides that.

I could not agree with you more.

[whoseyourdaddy]

There is no doubt that Canelo and the "Problem" Shoved down our throats, as the new stars that will save boxing (with at least Canelo fighting a Trout one of the best if not the best in the 154) they should do the same with Broner and give him a fight where he has a 65-70% chance of not lossing to make it exited.

[rocktx]

This article says burns would have been ANOTHER 7 figure pay day. you mean to tell me he made a million for the Rees fight? i have a hard time believing that. Or maybe it was Demarco?

Anyone know how much he made for those fights

[rasdun]

I cant stand when people say, he's only 23, or whatever the f*** he is. Many great fighters fought top opponents at that age. Plus, he's getting paid MILLIONS of $$$. So, take the risky fights. He should not get the $ without the risk. Considering how deep 140 is - Garcia, Mattyse, Peterson, khan, etc. and they go to 147. Esp considering Khan is fighting a f***in bum - imagine what a big fight Broner v. Khan would be. But, no, Golden Boy wants to milk both so we wont get that fight for at least a year or too, while they each continue to fight bums or wasked up fighters like Gavin Reese and Julio Diaz

[rasdun]

r u f***in jokin? why should he get to make sooo much money if he's working his way up slowly. EITHER work your way up slowly or take risks and get paid accordingly. We pay $ for our HBO and Showtime subscriptions, and should demand quality matchups accordingly. if he wants to fight guys like Reese and malignaggi, fine; but that shuold be a boxing after dark for 100K or 200K, not 1- 1.5 mil, like he's currently getting. It's just like Mayweather - he gets guaranteed 30 mil per fight so he has no incentive to take a risky fight like Pac or Martinez - same here. He's already getting over 1 mil per fight in HBO for easy fights, so what incentive does he have to fight Garcia or Mattyse. I am getting so sick of big fights where half the time we know who is gonna win before the fight starts.