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Paulie “The Magic Man”
Malignaggi got dropped a couple of times before getting stopped by
International Boxing Federation (IBF) world welterweight champion Shawn “Showtime”
Porter Saturday night at the Armory in Washington, D.C.
Malignaggi, who already has
a steady gig as a ringside analyst with Showtime, looked like a fighter who
should think long and hard about what side of the ropes he wants to be on next
time he shows up at a fight card. Up against a strong, motivated younger
fighter, Malignaggi simply got steamrolled by the aggressive, nonstop attack
from Porter. Malignaggi got worked over pretty well before referee Sam Williams
finally waved off the fight, much to the chagrin and dismay of a frustrated, disappointed,
no-quit Malignaggi.
The punishment dished out
was a one-way street on Saturday night. However, something so evident
throughout Paulie’s career was his championship heart. Paulie Malignaggi is as
gutsy and tough a fighter on a world-class level as you will find. Forget the
haircuts and fancy trunks. When this guy steps in the ring, he is all old-school
tough guy.
Going into the fight, Porter
was looking to make the first defense of the title he won when he upset the
odds and battered champion Devon Alexander last December at the Barclays Center
in Brooklyn, New York. Paulie was looking to use his considerable speed and
boxing skills to nullify the aggressive attack of Ohio-born Porter. In the end,
the rugged attack of Porter, who seemed to be all over Brooklyn’s Malignaggi
from the get-go, was just too much. He was simply too young and strong for Paulie.
Malignaggi was coming in
looking to add a third world title to a résumé that already included the IBF
light welterweight and the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title.
His dance card has featured an arguable cream of the crop and Malignaggi has
never turned his back on any challenge. Paulie has clocked into work to face Miguel
Cotto, Edner Cherry, Lovemore Ndou, Ricky Hatton, Juan Diaz, Amir Khan, Adrien
Broner and Zab Judah. Not gifted with power, scoring only seven KOs in 33 wins,
the “Magic Man” was blessed with exceptional hand speed, ring movement and
sheer toughness.
As Malignaggi left the arena
on Saturday night, (heading to the hospital for a post-fight check-up), you had
to wonder if we would ever see him in the ring again. If he takes some time off
and decides to return, will he feel he has something left? If Malignaggi
decides to call it a day and focuses on his exceptional and developing skills
as a ringside analyst with the Showtime network, he can leave the ring with his
head held high. He takes his curtain call sporting an outstanding record of
33-6 (7), much of it against the best in the world. And he can always be proud
in the fact that his legacy will show he was a true fighter through and through,
having won two world titles and building an outstanding résumé, with guts, skill,
showmanship and a heart the size of the Brooklyn Bridge. Fight fans couldn’t have asked for a whole
lot more.
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