Paulie Malignaggi Appreciation Thread

[Bennyhill]

I remember watching him on friday night fights as a prospect. At the time, Kostya Tyszu was the champion and fighters like Micky Ward, Gatti, Urango, Mitchell and Hatton roamed. I didnt think he had a snow balls chance in hell to win a title at 140, let alone one at 147 to boot.

What I did like about Paulie was his confidence and he made the most out of what God gave him. He had good speed but not blazing, good defense but not impregnable and he couldnt break an egg. The jury was out if he was all style and no substance

I always rooted for him but was never sure how far I thought he'd go. After the loss to Cotto, he earned my respect as not just being a loud mouth soft puncher, but a fighter. I was so upset when he got robbed against Juan Diaz but he won the rematch.

Im pulling for Paulie to beat Porter. My mind says Porter, my heart is with Paulie.

Paulie is definitely going through a resurgence. I never thought this would be possible after Khan beat the stuffing out of him.

[jaded]

Is Paulie Smellinaggi one of the Gotti's or is it just the eyebrow /hair/pouty lips thingy?

[Jc8804]

The guy has ali like charisma,oscar like chin,camacho like jab
Froch like toughness ,ward like iq, james toney like confidence

He takes that with a knife to a gun fight like another poster said.

He has a good size fan base and keeps it real.

[Box-Office]

He fought Cotto, Ndou (2nd) and a couple other fights with broken hands. In the Cotto one he also had a broken Orbital bone and he finished the fight vs the Terminator version of Cotto.

Jabbed his way to become a 2 weight champion and given the circumstance of his hands that's exceptional. Ofcourse to our NSB over achievers in life that's mediocre stuff.

[bojangles1987]

I never really liked him, but I respect the hell out of him. He was a good fighter at his best.

[Tom Cruise]

As a fighter he was a solid, lose to the best beat the rest type guy. I appreciate his heart and bravery fighting through adversity.

As a broadcaster he's a future great if he stays with it. His knowledge of the sport coupled with his ability to communicate his ideas is second to none. Add to that his blunt attitude towards calling out BS and he's probably my favourite commentator currently working in the sport.

[P4P_No1]

There's no doubt Paulie deserves ton of respect for achieving what he's done in the sport. Like another poster mentioned, I didn't think he would have this type of career resurgence after the Khan loss.

He's a good fighter, nothing more, nothing less.

The commentating gig has definitely improved people's opinions of Paulie though and he's got a great future in that lane once he hangs up his gloves.

Can't respect Paulie enough. Plus he's funny as hell. ATG trash talker.

[BennyST]

The guy has ali like charisma,oscar like chin,camacho like jab
Froch like toughness ,ward like iq, james toney like confidence

He takes that with a knife to a gun fight like another poster said.

He has a good size fan base and keeps it real.

No, he really doesn't.

He's not a bad fighter, but he lacks in more than just power. He doesn't have a great ring IQ, and his jab is not nearly as good as people seem to think it is. It's decent, but it's not a stand out Quartey like jab.

[removed]

Paulie is a warrior, much respect to him & what he's achieved in the ring.

[Rome-By-Ko]

I truly feel Paulie will be a better announcer then he was as a fighter..Even tho I've always thought he was entertaining at both..Paulie reminds me of Steve Kerr..He's a Champion who's had/have a good career..Yet is great at explaining the craft of the sport..

I think if Paulie continues his career in being a commentator,he's going to make the HOF..IMO,Paulie is a good fighter,he's going to be a great announcer...