“Its lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges and I believed in myself” said Muhammad Ali (www.brainyquotes.com). Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi has a lot of self-confidence. He is not afraid to meet challenges in his boxing career. He is a former junior welterweight champion. He comes from a long history of successful Brooklyn boxers such as Zab Judah, Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe. He is Brooklyn’s own.
Paulie Malignaggi has a flamboyant personality. It is not surprising his boxing heroes are other flashy fighters such as Hector Camacho and Prince Naseem Hamed. He is not afraid to make controversial statements. Paulie Malignaggi has talked about how he thinks that Manny Pacquiao is using performance enhancing drugs. For instance, “Manny Pacquiao’s not supremely blessed. I know body builders. They can’t put on 17 or whatever pounds of muscle in a year. It’s not doable, in my opinion. These are my speculations, my opinions based on certain factual evidence. Does his weight gain look normal to you? And his head looks like it has blown up in size, too” said Paulie Malignaggi (www.thesweetscience.com).
His boxing outfits and hairstyles are as bold as his personality. “I dress very flashy, have tassels and ridges on my trunks all kinds of crazy outfits and that’s what I’m all about, being flashy” said Paulie Malignaggi (www.boxingscene.com). His hairstyle in his boxing match against Lovemore N’dou caused him problems. His dreadlocks were getting in his eyes, swinging in front of his face and forced Referee Mickey Vann to step in, before the extensions came off after the eight round.
Paulie Malignaggi has a unique boxing style. He has a good jab. He has very good hand speed. He is a fleet-footed fighter. Likewise, Paulie Malignaggi is a slick boxer that uses movement in the ring better than most boxers. He knows when to clinch. He is not afraid to mix it up even though he is a slick boxer not a brawler. “I try to mix up the boxing, which is my strong point, firing shots and getting out because I want to entertain the crowd” said Paulie Malignaggi (www.eastsideboxing.com). He showed toughness and courage in his boxing match against Miguel Cotto. He fought through a fractured orbital bone and internal bleeding to give Miguel Cotto a tough fight. He received a phone call from Arturo Gatti after the fight telling him he showed a lot of heart.
Paulie Malignaggi on May 15th, 2010 in New York City will be fighting Amir Khan the current WBA World Light Heavyweight Champion. He is very confident that he will defeat Amir Khan. “Paulie has experience and Paulie is still in his prime and comes in very well equipped to take you out and if he doesn’t take you out he comes very well equipped to teach you a lesson. That is basically is what they are in for (www.boxingscene.com) said Paulie Malignaggi. He will train hard for his boxing match against Amir Khan. He will represent the long history of Brooklyn’s excellence in boxing in his attempt to become a 2-time world champion.
Works Cited
8 Apr. 2010 http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/muhammadal125243.html
8 Apr. 2010 http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/7579/paul-malignaggi-explains-why-thinks-manny-used-peds/
8 Apr. 2010 http://www.boxingscene.com/
8 Apr. 2010 http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=12932&more=1
