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Photo © NBC
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ESPN continued this season with their Friday Night Fights series with two sensational bouts that brought a sigh of relief and breath of fresh air to fans of the sport of boxing on February 10, 2006. Not that there was any question that either bout wouldn’t be as scintillating and entertaining as they ended up being considering the names involved. The under card featured the always enjoyable and master craftsman Emanuel Augustus 32-25-6 (17) vs. Jaime ‘El Martillo’ Rangel 30-9-1 (26) in a 10 round affair that ended with a thrilling domination and knockdown victory over Rangel by Augustus in the 10th round to give Emanuel the victory and keep him in the sport to delight and amaze us with what he can continue to do in the ring. Emanuel Augustus stated that if he lost this fight he would retire. Thankfully for us, the fans, he pulled out another brilliant victory and proved to us all that he is going to leave when he’s ready to leave. It is about time that Augustus got not only the merit he deserves but also the larger profile and better paying fights. He has been an institution on ESPN for numerous years and has participated in the past in some of the very best fights we have ever been privileged to see on air. A fan favorite with a misleading record, Emanuel Augustus will go down in history as a true warrior in every sense of the word. With a disciplined work rate and heart that will not quit, Augustus is a name that will not and should not ever be forgotten. Someone out there pay this guy what he’s owed already and give him a shot. The boxing public will thank you and more importantly the person who matters most here, Emanuel Augustus, will.
The main event was the entire buzz leading up to this greatly anticipated night. Paulie ‘Magic Man’ Malignaggi 21-0 (5) maintained his perfectly unblemished record against Donald Camarena 16-2 (9) to capture the WBC Continental Americas Light Welterweight Title and further cement not only his return to boxing after some setbacks due to hand injuries but to reveal to us all that he is a force to be reckoned with if there was ever any doubt, which there should never have been in the first place. The charismatic, flamboyant and versatile Malignaggi outsmarted and outworked Camarena in a display of masterful punching, incredible hand speed and an artful jab that just painted Camarena’s face like a swollen and almost finished work in brutality. This was Malignaggi’s night, with the Brooklyn native showcasing his talents once again to leave us all in amazement and awe. There was no question that from the opening bell Malignaggi was back in the mix and he looked in top form against Donald Camarena.
This was a step up in class for Paulie Malignaggi and he displayed that he was up for the task. Donald Camarena wasn’t meant to be a walk in the park for Malignaggi by any means. It was just that Malignaggi’s speed, classy footwork and craftiness proved too much for the taller and stronger Camarena who left himself handcuffed in a defensive posture the entire night against the enigmatic Malignaggi. The final scorecards read 98-92, and 100-90 twice understandably giving ‘Magic Man’ a UD in 10 rounds at the boxing mainstay Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
Paulie Malignaggi deserves bigger fights as does his counterpart Emanuel Augustus who both fought on ESPN’s card on Friday. He has proven after a long layoff and with concurrent hand injuries that he is ready to step up in class. He demonstrates an uncanny ability inside the ring and professional maturity that is beyond his 25 years. Things should open up for him now the doors should be left wide open for this Brooklyn kid who did one hell of a job in his come back fight and provided the public with more of a human interest story and guy to pull for than we have seen in the past. Bringing along with him the spirits of famous Italian American fighters from the past and adding his own style and uniqueness to redefine what an Italian American fighter is comprised of and is all about, Malignaggi has solidified his position in the current scheme of boxing and where it is heading.
And with such an innovative and dynamic fighter as Paulie ‘Magic Man’ Malignaggi bringing a renewal and recharge into the art of boxing and its fans, we can’t lose.
Campione Chiaro Paulie Malignaggi Di Welterweight Di Congratulazioni. Lo avete guadagnato. Benvenuto indietro!
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2006
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By Jason Petock (February 11, 2006)
