"I plan on campaigning in the welterweight division. I have a tune-up on this undercard right here, on the Pascal-Hopkins show, and then from there, we'll look to attack some bigger names in 2011," remarked a confident and rejuvinated Paulie Malignaggi, who was eager to discuss his December 18 welterweight debut on the undercard of Hopkins vs. Pascal. Malignaggi, who recently signed with his new promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, is eager to prove that the move up to the 147-pound division will have a positive impact on his future performances.
"Right now, I weighed, I think 164 this morning; and I'm not...look, that's 164 bro. You guys think I can go down to 135? You think I got 30 pounds to lose right there? 164 pounds man," Malignaggi explained in a recent interview with FightHype's Pierre Bonny. "I still got 17 more pounds to get to welterweight. I'm not talking shit, man. I'm not talking shit, man, I can not make 140 anymore."
It's no secret that Malignaggi has had some up-and-down performances throughout his career south of 147. Although the former jr. welterweight champion has had some good wins over the likes of fellow champions Juan Diaz and Lovemore N'dou, he's also suffered devastating defeats to other champions like Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, and most recently, Amir Khan. 2 out of Malignaggi's last 3 fights were contracted at a catch-weight of 138.5 pounds. Although he made the weight, Malignaggi was vocal about his struggle in doing so.
Now fighting at a new weight and with a new promotional company, Malignaggi, who at one time sounded as though his frustrations with the sport might prompt an early retirement, appears to have gotten himself into a good situation to make another run at the top.
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