"We're still trying to work out some kinks; hopefully the fight gets done. It needs to happen December 12th. This will be a start to help get boxing back. Fighters need to fight, simple as that! All this ducking shit needs to stop. Just man up and fight. We got in this sport of boxing to fight, not to play duck-duck-goose. If they want to play games, then go back to school. This is a sport for men, not kids," stated former jr. welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi as he gave an update on his future plans and the status of his proposed rematch with Juan Diaz. Check it out!
OS: How are you doing Paulie? After that debacle in Houston, what do you think should be done to prevent similar problems in the future?
PM: Thanks for the interview. I'm doing great; just trying to keep it moving. We can talk about this 'till we're blue in the face. Only the top people can fix this sport of boxing; just hopefully, it won't be too late.
OS: What have you been doing since the Diaz fight? I heard that the Diaz camp has backed away from a potential rematch in December. Can you explain what happened?
PM: We're still trying to work out some kinks; hopefully the fight gets done. It needs to happen December 12th. This will be a start to help get boxing back. Fighters need to fight, simple as that! All this ducking shit needs to stop. Just man up and fight. We got in this sport of boxing to fight, not to play duck-duck-goose. If they want to play games, then go back to school. This is a sport for men, not kids.
OS: Will you fight again this year against another fighter if the Diaz rematch does not pull through?
PM: Probably not, but we're still shooting for December 12th.
OS: What do you think of Juan Diaz as a fighter? He has not had much success since stepping up and fighting elite opponents.
PM: You seen the success he had against me (laughing). He skated off with a bullshit victory. He comes to fight, that's about it, but Paulie Malignaggi put on a boxing lesson.
OS: I wouldn't mind seeing a match between you and Amir Khan. How do you see that fight ending up?
PM: What do you think (laughing)? Khan turned down a fight with Paulie Malignaggi and took a much easier fight. He wants no part of a boxing clinic either.
OS: What was your take on the Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight? Did you expect the total domination of Marquez by Mayweather?
PM: Of course. Everyone knew it was going to happen; there are weight classes for a reason. Floyd put on a great show and dominated each round.
OS: What is your opinion on the recent trend of fighters fighting at catchweights? Do you think it is good for boxing?
PM: No! Fight at the weight class that was made by the boxing commission; don't go making up your own weight classes. But we gotta do what we gotta do. You can throw all the disadvantages against Paulie Malignaggi to try and win. Their last option was the judges; that's their only way of winning.
OS: You have always been one of the flashiest and flamboyant fighters today. Were you influenced by fighters such as Prince Naseem Hamed or is it just your personality?
PM: A little of everything. Prince was a great fighter, who loved to be flashy. But I'm from New York and have to let people know I'm from Brooklyn, so yeah, I'm flashy and flamboyant.
OS: Can you give your prediction for the Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight?
PM: Cotto by knockout; he's just too big of a guy for Pacquiao
OS: Thanks Paulie. I hope to see you fight again soon.
PM: Thank you! Any time.