Former two division world champion Paulie Malignaggi believes 2019 is the year for Errol Spence (24-0, 21 KOs).
The IBF's welterweight champion is scheduled to make a very anticipated world title defense against Mikey Garcia on March 16th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Fox Sports Pay-Per-View will carry the contest.
Garcia, an undefeated four division world champion and regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, is moving up by two weight divisions for the fight. Garcia currently holds the WBC lightweight title at 135-pounds.
Spence is regarded as one of the best fighters in the sport, but he's yet to face a superstar level fighter. That will change when he steps in the ring with Garcia, who despite his status is widely viewed as a tremendous underdog.
Spence's biggest win to date was a 2017 stoppage of Kell Brook to capture the IBF title in Sheffield.
If Spence can defeat Garcia in impressive fashion, then Malignaggi believes the unbeaten champion is well on his way to a breakout year.
"I think Errol Spence is a guy who’s on the verge of cementing some more stardom. He’s always had the potential, he’s always been a big deal. And he’s always been a phenomenal fighter. I think this is a year, if he’s able to make good on the Mikey Garcia fight, who’s a bit smaller, but a tremendous fighter, and I expect Errol to come through that fight," Malignaggi told CBS Sports.
"Errol is able to get the quality wins against the recognizable opponents, I think Errol can start cementing himself as one of the major stars in boxing as well. It’s just a matter of him getting access to certain people and doing the job that he does. But I think, just like Usyk was able to burst through in 2018, Errol’s ready to burst through in 2019."
