On August 22nd of this year Paulie Malignaggi and Juan Diaz engaged in hotly contested match at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Pitting Diaz’ aggression against Malignaggi’s speed and skillset, the bout had its share of momentum changes and eventful moments.
After twelve pitched rounds many had felt that the Brooklyn fighter had done enough to steal the show but Maliginaggi would end up losing a unanimous decision. Shockingly one of the judges, Gale Van Hoy, scored the bout ridiculously in Diaz’ favor, 118-110, and there has been a cloud of controversy surrounding the contest ever since.
In his post fight interview Malignaggi went on a verbal tirade about the apparent corruption that exists in the sport of boxing and in Texas in particular, where shady business has been all too familiar in recent years. That tirade endeared Malignaggi to many and people have been clamoring to see the two step back in the ring again.
People will have their wish this coming weekend when Malignaggi and Diaz again meet up this Saturday, December 12th at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois. Much is on the line for both men and the bout has had people buzzing since its announcement. Wanting to get a better sense of the anticipation towards the contest, I dug into some of the busiest boxing forums online to get a sense for what everyone is saying. In their own words, this is was the public had to say…
(Kevin Jesus @ BoxingScene.com)… “Diaz got outboxed the first time and he’s getting outboxed again. I just hope that the judges will be neutral.”
(BikerMike @ EastSideBoxing.com)… “Malignaggi already knows how to beat Diaz….I’m not sure Diaz can make the changes to frustrate Malignaggi.”
(Smelodies @ MaxBoxing.com)… “Here’s to hoping Juan lands the best left hook of his life.”
(Cuauhtemoc1496 @ BoxingScene.com)… “First fight was great, I gave the decision to Paulie. He outboxed Diaz while Diaz landed the better shots.
Honestly I’m very surprised Diaz is giving him a second fight, shows he is a real man.
Can’t wait to see this one.”
(Da Greatest @ BoxingScene.com)… “I will say it again Paulie did not do enough to beat the man in his hometown. Diaz probably would have won a close decision in NY. That’s right the fight can’t be in NY because Paulie doesn’t have enough drawing power. Last fight boils down to Diaz landing the more effective punches and Paulie having ring generalship. Diaz will win this fight and Paulie will hopefully quit crying about the sport of boxing.”
(Rebel @ BoxingFanatics.com)… “I don’t think Paulie clearly outboxed him the first time. It could’ve gone either away.
We’ll have another close fight with another debated decision, IMO.”
(Silkstone @ BoxingScene.com)… “Paulie deserves this. He got dealt a bad, bad hand down in Texas. I just hope that he doesn’t waste this opportunity to get his career back on track.”
(Johnnyblaze @ DogHouseBoxing.com)… “[Malignaggi] lost that fight, and he’ll lose again. Thankfully after this weekend we won’t ever have to see him again.”
(PeeWee1460 @ BoxingScene.com)… “Paulie’s gonna whip that ass again, hope the judges will give it to him.”
(Sinisterko @ EastSideBoxing.com)… “I like Paulie cuz he talks with his heart. And unlike some cherry pickers he fights anyone and believes in his skills enough to take on tough opponents on their turf. This fight should be as good as the first. I had to look up the judges considering what happened last time and I think this bout should be fair.”
(Ploof1399 @ BoxingScene.com)… “I’m looking forward to Paulie looking sharper than ever and winning in the Windy City.”
(Tito4Ever @ DogHouseBoxing.com)… “Cant wait to see Paulie beat up Juan Diaz in a more impressive fashion”
(HTown boxingfan @ Boxingscene.com)… “Loving the hate towards my boy Juan Diaz. Come December all whining and complaining will cease to exist and Diaz will be victorious!!!”
(futonrevolution @ EastSideBoxing.com)… “There are going to be a lot of eyes on this one… much more on the officials than the fighters. It’ll be a strange night, I’m sure. ”
(Zarco @ Boxingscene.com)… “Juan Diaz should be fighting at super feather weight. Yet you scowl him for fighting a bigger Malignaggi at 138.5 when Paulie has weighed in at 139 or below for 6 of his last seven fights?”
Paulie Malignaggi isn’t a draw. they wouldn’t draw flies if they fought in New York. There is a reason why they fought in Houston the first time. There is a reason why they are fighting in Chicago this time around.”
(Bright-Eyes @ BoxingScene.com)… “People have been fooled into believing that all Paulie’s shots were landing clean, god knows how many shots Diaz was clearly blocking with his gloves. Paulie’s best punch was the jab and when he moved but when he stood toe to toe with Diaz he got swamped, all those 4-5 punch combinations he was throwing – only one would land clean.”
