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Q&A: Paul Malignaggi!
March 28, 2006
By Robert Coster
Will Paul Malignaggi be the "Cinderella Man" of year 2006? The outspoken jr welterweight from Bensonhurst, NY will most likely be a prohibitive underdog in his upcoming WBO title bout against Top Rank superstar Miguel Cotto. But Malignaggi exults confidence and feels that come June 10th he will upset the touted Puerto Rican Champion. "I am going to give Miguel Cotto a boxing lesson," vows Paul. Skeptics will point out that Malignaggi will be taking a big--too big--step up in class. Those who do believe in the brash Italian-American youngster can mention the night a little known Lloyd Honeygan tamed a supposedly invincible Donald Curry. Will history repeat itself? *********.com asked Malignaggi his opinion about the biggest fight of his young career.
Paul, you´re 21-0 and Cotto is 26-0. The numbers are close but you will admit that Cotto has fought the tougher guys. He´s beaten four world champions and has been in six title fights.
Considering this, why do you feel so confident about this fight? What do you feel is your edge over Cotto?
I´ll tell what. I believe I have the edge in every department except power. I have superior speed, ring generalship, movement, versatility. Sure, Miguel is a strong puncher and a warrior but he´s predictable. He´s never fought someone with my ring smarts...that´s why I´m confident.
You´ll have the legs to fight twelve rounds with such a heavy-handed guy?
I expect to get hit but he is going to get hit a lot more. My speed and my movement will be the difference. And I´m prepared for twelve rounds
Have you seen a lot of his tapes?
Being a thinking fighter, I´m a student of boxing. Sure, I study his tapes. Cotto is vulnerable. He was in trouble against DeMarcus Corley and against Ricardo Torres but these guys let him off the hook .
Are you pleased that the fight will be held in New York at the MSG?
Sure. I will feel right at home. But both of us have a strong fan base in the Big Apple. This fight is a natural for this city.
How did you get into boxing, Paul?
I grew up in Bensonhurst, a pretty wild kid with a lot of issues to deal with: a house without a male figure, no sense of direction. I got expelled from High School. My uncle thought boxing would pipe me down and took me to the gym. Boxing gave my life the positive focus it needed.
Do you remember your first amateur fight? Some boxers don´t but most do.
How could I forget. I stopped the guy in the very first round! After that I thought "Here´s something I´m good at!"
Remind us of your amateur record?
I was two times NY Golden Gloves Champion and US National Champion.
Paul, you´re Italian-American. You are conscious of the great Italian-American champions-Rocky Marciano, Willie Pep, Jake La Motta, Rocky Graziano etc. Are you thinking about this very special legacy as the big fight gets near?
I´m proud of this legacy and I want to continue it. To be honest, it pumps me up. Down the line, I´m aiming at boxing greatness. If you do something, aim at the highest.
What boxers do you admire?
Sugar Ray Leonard, Pernell Whittaker, Floyd Mayweather, that´s the type of boxers I like: thinking boxers and great showmanship.
One last question, Paul, or rather a statement. What do you say to the doubters and what do you say to your fans?
The doubters, I plan to make them very unhappy come June 10th. Worse, tell them that Paul Malignaggi is here to stay. As for my fans, what would I be without them? I owe everything to them. The title belt will be mine and theirs.
March 28, 2006
By Robert Coster
Will Paul Malignaggi be the "Cinderella Man" of year 2006? The outspoken jr welterweight from Bensonhurst, NY will most likely be a prohibitive underdog in his upcoming WBO title bout against Top Rank superstar Miguel Cotto. But Malignaggi exults confidence and feels that come June 10th he will upset the touted Puerto Rican Champion. "I am going to give Miguel Cotto a boxing lesson," vows Paul. Skeptics will point out that Malignaggi will be taking a big--too big--step up in class. Those who do believe in the brash Italian-American youngster can mention the night a little known Lloyd Honeygan tamed a supposedly invincible Donald Curry. Will history repeat itself? *********.com asked Malignaggi his opinion about the biggest fight of his young career.
Paul, you´re 21-0 and Cotto is 26-0. The numbers are close but you will admit that Cotto has fought the tougher guys. He´s beaten four world champions and has been in six title fights.
Considering this, why do you feel so confident about this fight? What do you feel is your edge over Cotto?
I´ll tell what. I believe I have the edge in every department except power. I have superior speed, ring generalship, movement, versatility. Sure, Miguel is a strong puncher and a warrior but he´s predictable. He´s never fought someone with my ring smarts...that´s why I´m confident.
You´ll have the legs to fight twelve rounds with such a heavy-handed guy?
I expect to get hit but he is going to get hit a lot more. My speed and my movement will be the difference. And I´m prepared for twelve rounds
Have you seen a lot of his tapes?
Being a thinking fighter, I´m a student of boxing. Sure, I study his tapes. Cotto is vulnerable. He was in trouble against DeMarcus Corley and against Ricardo Torres but these guys let him off the hook .
Are you pleased that the fight will be held in New York at the MSG?
Sure. I will feel right at home. But both of us have a strong fan base in the Big Apple. This fight is a natural for this city.
How did you get into boxing, Paul?
I grew up in Bensonhurst, a pretty wild kid with a lot of issues to deal with: a house without a male figure, no sense of direction. I got expelled from High School. My uncle thought boxing would pipe me down and took me to the gym. Boxing gave my life the positive focus it needed.
Do you remember your first amateur fight? Some boxers don´t but most do.
How could I forget. I stopped the guy in the very first round! After that I thought "Here´s something I´m good at!"
Remind us of your amateur record?
I was two times NY Golden Gloves Champion and US National Champion.
Paul, you´re Italian-American. You are conscious of the great Italian-American champions-Rocky Marciano, Willie Pep, Jake La Motta, Rocky Graziano etc. Are you thinking about this very special legacy as the big fight gets near?
I´m proud of this legacy and I want to continue it. To be honest, it pumps me up. Down the line, I´m aiming at boxing greatness. If you do something, aim at the highest.
What boxers do you admire?
Sugar Ray Leonard, Pernell Whittaker, Floyd Mayweather, that´s the type of boxers I like: thinking boxers and great showmanship.
One last question, Paul, or rather a statement. What do you say to the doubters and what do you say to your fans?
The doubters, I plan to make them very unhappy come June 10th. Worse, tell them that Paul Malignaggi is here to stay. As for my fans, what would I be without them? I owe everything to them. The title belt will be mine and theirs.
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