FightHype's staff predictions are in for this weekend's anticiapted rematch between Juan Diaz and Paulie Malignaggi. Who will win? Who will lose? Get the answers to these questions and more in FightHype's staff predictions.
Ben "The Hype" Thompson - Malignaggi by Split Decision
I don't know if Diaz has had enough time since the first fight to be able to make enough adjustments to deal with Malignaggi's style. Not to mention, Malignaggi now has more advantages in his favor the second time around, like a bigger ring, which should give him just enough edge to squeek out a close one.
Percy "Talent" Crawford - Diaz by Decision
Convincing this time.
Oliver Suarez - Diaz by Unanimous Decision
Tim Harrison - Malignaggi by Split Decision
Juan Diaz will fight the same fight. The mystery is how Malignaggi handles it a second time. I think he repeats his performance and the scores swing in his favor this time around, with one judge slightly favoring Diaz and his power punches.
Charles "Sweetchuck" Presnell - Diaz by Decision
If it's close, I can see the nod going to Paulie, even if he does not deserve it because that is how these things sometimes work. Nevertheless, I do see Juan making adjustments to Paulie's style and winning a decision.
"BigTime" Tim Kudgis - Malignaggi by Split Decision
Joe DeMaria - Malignaggi by Unanimious Decision
He won the first one, he will win the second one in similar fashion.
Ray Cerda - Malignaggi by Unanimous Decision
Away from the Texas crowd and Texas judges, Malignaggi wins a unanimous decision.
Sandy Liptrot - Diaz by Unanimous Decision
Steve "mbase" Coleman - Diaz by Decision
I'm going with Juan Diaz. I thought Paulie won the first fight, but not by much and he was pickin' and peckin'; not really shooting any hard shots, just pitty-patting his way to victory. Even though Juan is limited, I think he is going to come through this time. Juan by easy decision.
John Bell - Malignaggi by Unanimous Decision
SKULLSPLITTER "The CEO" - Diaz by Unanimous Decision
Joseph "falvoa" Falvo - Diaz by Unanimous Decision
Tough fight. At first, I thought Diaz won clearly, though closely. Then, I just watched the fight again and thought Malignaggi probably deserved the nod. Either way, it's close. I still favor Diaz. Go figure!
Joey "titlebelt" Karash - Diaz KO10
Bradley Cooper - Malignaggi by Unanimous Decision
Remember the outcry over Lewis-Holyfield I? Remember the rematch? If your memory fails you, the rematch was much closer. Some felt Holyfield pulled it out,but Lewis was awarded a fairly wide unanimous decision (only Jerry Roth scored it close, 115-113). Looking back, Evander needed to either dominate all twelve rounds or knock Lewis out to get the win that night. With the controversy of the first fight in Houston still lingering, the same sentiment could apply. Neutral officials across the board are in place, but they're all well aware of what happened on August 22. I expect a closer fight than before (I had Malignaggi winning clearly last time around), one that could easily end in a draw, but with Paulie winning a unanimous decision. Rubbermatch anyone?