Paulie Malignaggi’s recent ninth-round TKO win over Vyacheslav Senchenko in Ukraine was impressive. Malignaggi shut Senchenko’s right eye and the Brooklyn native scored just the seventh knockout of his career. Malignaggi (31 ? 4) captured the WBA welterweight title with the victory, and now has won titles in two weight classes. The Magic Man displayed great speed. He moved out of arms way every time Senchenko threatened to attack.
After losing to Amir Khan in 2010, Malignaggi looked like a finished fighter. He was outclassed, outboxed, and outworked by the younger Khan. The 31-year-old former IBF junior welterweight champ successfully worked his way to a title shot since then, reeling off four straight wins to win the WBA title.
Since Malignaggi can’t compete with the welterweight’s elite in Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, a fight against fellow Brooklyn native Zab Judah (42 ? 7) is possible. Judah and Malignaggi both have a loyal fan base and following. They’re just a little past their prime but not quite washed-up yet. A Malignaggi – Judah fight in Madison Square Garden will be a big event if it happens.
Judah, like Malignaggi, lost to Khan. In the fight after his loss to Khan, he looked rejuvenated against Vernon Paris. Judah’s win over Paris was an IBF light welterweight eliminator, meaning he’s next in line to fight the winner of the Lamont Peterson – Amir Khan bout. But let’s be real for a second. What’s a bigger fight? Judah versus Khan/Peterson or Judah versus Malignaggi?
How about it Zab, one last hurrah at welterweight to capture the WBA belt?
Comments? E-mail me at [email protected] or follow me on Twitter @jeremydgyap.
