8CountNews caught up with the former Jr welterweight world champion Paulie Malignaggi and got his thoughts on the big rematch against Juan Diaz. This fight is scheduled for December 12th, in Chicago. Malignaggi last faced Diaz in Houston, Texas and was on the losing end of a controversial decision. The 118/110 score for Diaz by one of the judges sent shock waves across the boxing world prompting many angry fans to demand a rematch. Of course team Malignaggi screamed for a rematch as well, and thankfully boxing did what was right and the rematch is set. Check out what “The Magic Man” had to say in this exclusive 8CN interview.
8CN – Pauli, thanks for joining us.
PM – Thanks for having me.
8CN – The big rematch against Juan Diaz is set for December 12th. It’s getting close, are you getting excited?
PM – Yea I am excited about the fight, and I am excited that I got the rematch. It’s getting close and it will be a good culmination for a great comeback year for me.
8CN – The first fight had a lot of controversy, most people thought that you won that last fight. Is it tricky for you to maintain focus, because you seemed pretty pissed off with the result of the first fight?
PM – Yea I am focused for this fight. I am very satisfied with how things have gone for me all year around. I have a new trainer and boxing has become fun again for me. The excitement is back, the big build up is back. The workouts are fun, it’s all exciting to me again. I once again feel that I am a threat to any Jr Welterweight in the world. For a time there at the end of my tenure with Buddy McGirt, I just didn’t feel like I was a threat to anyone anymore, and all of that has changed now. This year I am back where I want to be and I feel that I can beat any Jr Welterweight in the world if I am given the opportunity.
8CN – With how well you boxed against Diaz in the first fight, I am guessing that your confidence has really built up?
PM – Absolutely, and if anyone has followed my career you will see that I went back to things that I have been doing when I was coming up in this sport. Then I got with McGirt and he decided to change what wasn’t broke, and when you do that you risk ruining a fighter. I was on the verge of being ruined, I was winning fights by the skin of my teeth, then I got beaten badly by Ricky Hatton, and as nice of a guy as he is, he’s really not as good as he’s been built up to be, he’s really not. I was just way worse at the time, and it got to a point where I had to make a change. And as you can see, I am not the same fighter as I was when I fought Ricky Hatton. The proof is in the pudding, and I look forward to showing everyone that on December 12th.
8CN – Now that you two have fought once, do you think Diaz will change up his game-plan on you? And do you have some tricks up your sleeve for him?
PM – Honestly? Diaz is a one dimensional fighter, so what’s he going to do? What’s he going to do put more pressure on me? I have some tricks up my sleeve for him. The kid sucks to be honest, he’s one dimensional. I am more of an athlete than he is, and to be honest, I am doing things that I haven’t been doing in a long time now. I am going to get in there and box his ass off.
8CN – How do you feel about the fight being in Chicago?
PM – It’s fine as long as it’s not in Texas. The Texas commision is a joke, the fans down there are disrespectful, and it’s really amusing to me to hear Diaz say that he’s taking this fight personal. He’s got the nerve to say this has become personal, I am the one that got F’d around not him. His team was disrespectful during the rematch negotiations, and you know what? If he’s taking things personal now, he’s really going to take things pesonal when I kick his ass again.
8CN – Alright champ, well I know it’s your birthday so I will cut this one short, so give me some closing thoughts.
PM – Tune in on December 12th, the Magic Man is back! It’s my birthday now but we are not going to celebrate until after I kick Juan Diaz’ ass. We are going to do a victory party, and a birthday party all rolled up in one. And you know what? There are a lot of Italiano’s in Chi-Town, but we are going to bring his fans to the party too, because by the time I get done with him they are going to need somewhere to go.
