Hatton to face Malignaggi?

[Michael Scofield]

NEW YORK – IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi hopes to ink a pact early next week to confirm his dream deal: a two-fight arrangement culminating with a showdown against the world’s recognized No. 1 junior welterweight, Ricky Hatton, The Ring magazine and IBO title-holder. “I’ve got to admit that, after the Cotto fight,” Malignaggi said, “I never thought that I’d get the chance to fight another great champion again. I believed in myself, but it was almost like I proved too much to everyone, that I had skills, but most of all, that I’m as tough as anyone who ever laced on gloves. I’m really grateful that Team Hatton looks like they’ll give me the opportunity to fight on Ricky’s big card in Manchester in May and then against him in the Fall in the United States.“Ricky and I have a lot in common. Both our fathers were soccer players – his in England and mine in Italy – and we’ve both paid our dues and earned the respect of the fans and other fighters. The only marks on our records came against two great fighters, Mayweather and Cotto. What makes it so exciting is the big difference in our fighting styles. Ricky is rough and tough; an all-action fighter who takes advantage of everything he can to get the win. You’re never going to see a Hatton fight that doesn’t keep you on the edge of your seat. Most of my fights have been boxing matches. The excitement was dictated by how aggressive the other guy wanted to be. If they brought it, they got it back times 10. I know I’m at the top of my game right now and that’s what it takes to have a chance against a great champion like Ricky Hatton.” Malignaggi (24-1, 5 KOs) captured the IBF title last June, defeating champion Lovemore N’dou (45-8-1) by 12-found decision, and Paulie successfully defended his belt in January with a 12-round decision against No. 1 contender Herman Ngoudjo (16-1). “Everyone was blown away when they heard Ricky was going to fight at City of Manchester Stadium,” Paulie continued. “It’s going to be crazy over there! They’ve had a lot of quality fighters in Great Britain - Joe Calzaghe, David Haye, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank. They also had Lennox Lewis, but nothing like what Ricky means to them. Vegas was crazy last December and I know we can bring that atmosphere back when we go at it in the Fall. This won’t be a Friendly, more like a World Cup match, wherever we fight.“My goal has always been to make the biggest and best fights, just like my great friend, Floyd Mayweather, has told me to do. A match-up between me and Ricky will be a Super Fight, one talked about for as long as there is boxing. No other fight at 140 matters. And before the fight, well, everyone knows that I talk a lot of smack, so Ricky’s not going to get any breaks there, either. Like with Floyd, me and Ricky can save seeing if we’re cool until once we’ve earned each other’s respect at the only place it counts – in the ring. There is no one, I repeat, no one I want to fight more than the No. 1 guy in the division - Ricky Hatton. Forget the money, forget the titles, this is about being the best. I know that if I get in the ring with Ricky Hatton, I’ll show him and everyone else what I’m made of, that I am the best 140-pound fighter in the world.“I want to thank Ricky, his father, Ray, his lawyer, Gareth, who I met in Vegas, my team and everyone at Golden Boy and DBE for working so hard on this. I know I’m not always the easiest guy to deal with because I get so emotional over stupid stuff and open my mouth. I want to hype things up and get my chance to prove to everyone that I can walk the walk with the best. I’m ready to sign on the dotted line and prove to the Hattons and everyone else that Paulie Malignaggi is ready and up for the task of making this the biggest and best promotion that it can be. The best versus the best! If Ricky Hatton can beat me, then he can close the book on the 140-pound division. But no one’s beating the ‘Magic Man’ ever again. Me and Ricky are both professionals and know we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We both know that if we don’t win in May, our fight can never happen. Let everyone know that Paulie Malignaggi will do his part to make this happen and I’m counting on Ricky to do the same.”

I've only seen Malignaggi fight twice and that was against Cotto and N'Dou. From what I've heard he's a really talented fighter, just lacks any menacing power. Hes gonna be fighting on Hatton's Homecoming undercard in May and I think this is a good fight for Hatton stylistically.

[Michael Scofield]

Here's the Metro Mauler running his mouth (this was a while ago just after Hatton lost to Floyd).

[JWP]

Malignaggi reminds me of fighters on the intro part to ufc events every time he comes with the talk, it's funny though still. Would be good to see him fight Hatton

[Frank Furta]

Big stuff.. like to see hatton batter this mouthy little prick.

[Aquaman]

hatton would walk thru paulie just like cotto didbut hatton is a coward still smh at him running from any credible fighter his next fight shouldve been witter

[Guest haze-e]

Hope Hatton batters him; Hes wearing hoop earrings.

[JWP]

hatton would walk thru paulie just like cotto didbut hatton is a coward still smh at him running from any credible fighter his next fight shouldve been witter

Hatton's been avoiding Witter from day. I think he's got the mind that if he loses to another British fighter people would look down on him. Just think how big a fight that would be. Seems like the Haye vs Maccarinelli fight will be the last all big British fight for a while and the only reason that took place was cos Haye cunningly tricked Warren into thinking him an easy target at cruiserweight.Talking about avoiding big Brit showdowns has anyone noticed how Amir Khan wanted to fight Thaxton but Warren is swiftly dragging him away from that even though I think I heard Thaxton was ment to be his next mandatory opponent or something?

[Guest Medic]

Hatton would win for sure.

[Michael Scofield]

hatton would walk thru paulie just like cotto didbut hatton is a coward still smh at him running from any credible fighter his next fight shouldve been witter

I disagree. He should be allowed a tune-up fight. He went from undefeated fighter facing p4p #1 in the world to knocked flat out on his arse. Those kind of defeats are humiliating and ego tearing.