The scores were 115-113 both ways and a much-criticized 117-111 in favor of Broner.
The bout was televised live in the U.S. on Showtime.
Both fighters talked plenty of smack before the fight. Malignaggi insisted he’d take Broner to school while Broner promised to knockout his foe or badly punish him over the course of the fight.
In a fight Broner said would be “easy” was anything but.
As a matter of fact, a fraction of viewers had Paulie winning or scored it a draw.
Regardless how you scored it, one thing is certain: Broner vs Malignaggi was clearly no ‘cake-walk’ and served as Broner’s second highly competitive bout in 27 fights (the first being Ponce De Leon).
Broner was tested – especially early on.
The 32 year old Malignaggi started well and was ahead in the eyes of many after six rounds. He simply outhustled and outboxed the 23 year old, using his handspeed and footwork to stay away from Broner’s power stuff. Towards the middle rounds, Paulie started to slow and the aggressive Broner began to walk his man down and land thudding lead right hands and left hooks during the second half of the fight.
Paulie fought back gamely, retaliating with combinations but the momentum of the bout had shifted. And in the end, two of the three judges favored Broner’s power and aggression over Paulie’s volume punching.
Good Action
Broner vs Malignaggi didn’t disappoint and was somewhat entertaining. Some will assert the bout falied to live up to expectations because there were no knockdowns nor was either fighter badly staggered or in any danger of tasting the canvas. Moreover, neither guy was “supremely” dominant at any time in the bout.
The match-up was intriguing and not easy to score.
Both Fighters Were Elusive
The slick Malignaggi, the consummate boxer, avoided taking many clean, hard shots to the head … As a matter of fact, both men rarely got whacked with good, solid “humdingers.”
Paulie was always moving and slipping while Broner was rolling and turning.
Broner vs Malignaggi Highlights
According to Showtime PunchStats, Broner out-landed Paulie 246-213 and more than doubled Paulie in powershots, 214-94. Paulie was more active, throwing 843 punches to Broner’s 524 – But Adrien was more accurate, landing 47% of his shots to Malignaggi’s 25%.
Broner improved to 27-0 with 22 knockouts while Malignaggi fell to 32-5.
Quotes
“He’s a world class fighter,” Broner said. “To come to somebody’s hometown and beat them on a split decision, that’s saying something.”
Broner also stated Malignaggi was “shadowboxing” all night.
“He worked for about 30 seconds every round,” Malignaggi said. “This was a close fight. I don’t mind if you had him winning close or me winning close, it was that kind of a fight.”
Paulie also insisted close fights always go to the fighter better politically connected, describing it as “political bullsh*t.”
The Case for Malignaggi
Those who believe Paulie should have been awarded the decision assert he had a higher activity rate and controlled the flow of the action most of the time. They insist Malignaggi dictated the tempo, stayed out of harm’s way and kept Broner from making it a brawl.
Some will also say that while Broner’s performance was good, he didn’t do enough to decisievely beat a world champion.
The Case for Broner
Advocates for the decision say Broner landed more punches overall, walked his man down, was effectively aggressive and landed the harder, more meaningful shots. They will inisist Adrien had Paulie on the defensive most of the fight and that the champion wasn’t able to effectively deal with Broner’s pressure, power and precision.
How did you score Broner vs Malignaggi?
Broner vs Malignaggi Facts & Stats
Malignaggi, a 7.5-to-1 betting underdog, entered as the #4 welterweight contender in the world according to The Ring Magazine. Broner was ranked as the #1 lightweight contender and the #6 pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
It was the first fight for Broner at the 147-pound limit.
Broner won his third title in as many weight classes
Malignaggi, despite losing, stays relevant
Entering the bout, Adrien has won his last 6 bouts and 16 of his last 17 via knockout
Showtime’s Al Bernstein, Steve Farhood, and Bernard Hopkins all scored the bout for Broner, too, on scores of 115-113 (Bernstein and Hopkins) and 116-112 (Farhood).
The fighters talked trash before, during and even after the bout.
Broner vs Malignaggi Purse: According to ESPN, Broner will earn the bigger purse: $1.5 Million USD to Malignaggi’s $1.125 Million USD.
