FightHype.com recently caught up with IBF jr. welterweight champion Paul Malignaggi. After hearing that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. called him out after his victory this past Saturday over lightly regarded Louis Brown, Malignaggi was quick to call his bluff and accept his challenge, even willing to move up in weight to meet him at welterweight. You don't want to miss what he had to say about Chavez Jr., his future plans and much more, including his thoughts on Miguel Cotto's performance against Zab Judah as he looks forward to a rematch some time in the future.

PC: How do you feel about Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. calling you out?

PM: I wasn't too pleased with him saying that kind of stuff considering the opposition he's been fighting. It's very uncalled for.

PC: What did you think of his performance Saturday night?

PM: I didn't even bother watching it man. I don't watch that bum anymore. I seen him fight his first 30 fights and it's the same thing every time. At some point, you have to step up man. You can't keep fighting cab drivers every time; you know what I mean man? Thinking more realistic, why is he calling out a world champion like myself after fighting the opposition he has? He thinks because he has the last name that he has, that he could skip around, jump around and call out names when he really doesn't deserve it. At the end of the day, if his name wasn't Chavez Jr. and he had a regular name without the hype and the history of his last name, nobody would care about him.

PC: You put on a masterpiece against Lovemore Ndou. How do you feel about your last performance and when would you like to get in there again?

PM: Thanks man! I want to get in there as soon as possible man. We're in the process of trying to get a couple of fights, you know? We're trying to see what names are available, where and what would not work and stuff like that, so we're definitely in the process of trying to get things going and trying to get the ball rolling. Chavez's name is definitely one of the names if he's going to step up like he says he is. At some point, you have to be about it and not just talk about it.

PC: How did it feel for you to finally capture that first title?

PM: To win your first world championship, I think is always a great moment in a fighter's career. A lot of fighters don't even achieve that. It's something special for me and a night I won't ever forget. I just want to capitalize on what I need to do.

PC: How do you feel about the competition in the 140 pound division?

PM: I feel like we have a good weight class. Junior welterweight is hot; a lot of fighters. And a lot of fighters from my side of the country also. I think it's very wide open and at the end of the day, I think it's a lot of good fights to be made. I plan on being in the mix for a while and also I would definitely like a rematch with Cotto down the line. Once I make my move up to welterweight, which won't be in the next couple of years, but once I do that, I will definitely look for that Cotto rematch.

PC: What did you think of Cotto's performance over Zab Judah?

PM: Cotto is a very hot ticket right now. He's doing his job and continuing to win fights. I have first hand experience, obviously, in how good he is and I think Miguel Cotto is a very strong fighter. I still believe I have the tools to beat him. I think a little more experience in the last fight would've prevented me from getting off to such a bad start and ultimately that cost me the fight on the scorecards. I think with the experience that I'm acquiring, not only from that fight, but the fights since then, I've obviously become a better fighter and a more mature fighter which is all the more reason that a rematch would be so appealing. He has been on a championship level already and that was my first fight on a championship level. The experience has helped me now and I think a rematch will be very interesting and a fight I feel I can do well in.

PC: We've been able to see the growth and maturity of Paulie Malignaggi from ESPN to HBO. What do you attribute that maturity to and what are your goals for 2008?

PM: I want the biggest fights possible in 2008 man. I want my name to stay out there and remain on a high championship level. I want to be in super fights. It's just a matter of getting to that point. I have a world title now and now I'm just working on becoming that household name and that's the next step in that maturing process. What's responsible for me maturing is basically my experience overall in my life and in my fighting career. I think when you go through the injuries that I've gone through and the circumstances I've gone through, it matures you as a person and a fighter. Those things put together have made me not just the fighter, but the man I am today.

PC: How have the hands been doing?

PM: My hands have been alright. They've been ok. You always have to keep your fingers crossed when you've had that many breaks, but so far so good in the hands department in my last couple of fights.

PC: Do you feel like the Chavez fight can be made next?

PM: It's a fight that can be made. Listen, I'm calling their bluff. They said my name. I'm just putting it out there that it's a fight I'm interested in and I'm willing to make it. I'm even willing to go up to welterweight to fight him. I'll move up the 7 pounds to fight him because that's how much garbage I believe he is. All the hype and he's basically living off of his name. I'll even move up in weight to give him the fight, you know? Meet him a little bit and then come back and defend my title in my weight class. That's not a problem. I don't see that as a hindrance to the fight. Can it be made? I don't know. It all depends on if his people are willing to stop babying him and put him in with a championship level fighter and not just call out names. When you just call out names, you make yourself look like a fool once you don't step up.

PC: I know you said you didn't watch the fight. Who informed you that Chavez Jr. had called you out and what was your initial reaction?

PM: I got a call from a reporter saying that he wanted to challenge me. They had Arturo Gatti in their sights and once Arturo got beat, they wanted to call me out. I believe the reason to behind what they are saying is because I'm a smaller, light punching junior welterweight, but yet, I'm on top of my game. I think that's the reason behind it. People think it's ridiculous that I have 5 knockouts in 23 wins, but my hands are healthy now man. I'm going to start knocking guys out if they not on that high level like myself. If you're not on my level, believe me, I'm going to start putting you to sleep. Chavez Jr. is nowhere near my level and not only will I beat Chavez Jr., I will end up stopping the kid no matter what weight we fight at.

PC: Paulie, it was a pleasure speaking with you. I look forward to seeing you fight again.

PM: Thank you man. Take care!