Paulie Malignaggi | |
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Malignaggi in 2010
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Statistics | |
Real name | Paul |
Nickname(s) | Magic Man |
Rated at | |
Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
Nationality | American |
Born |
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. |
November 23, 1980
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 44 |
Wins | 36 |
Wins by KO | 7 |
Losses | 8 |
Paul "Paulie" Malignaggi (born November 23, 1980) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2017, and currently works as a commentator. He is a former two-weight world champion, having held the IBF junior welterweight title from 2007 to 2008, and the WBA welterweight title from 2012 to 2013.
Malignaggi was born in Brooklyn to Sicilian immigrant parents. He spent most of his early days in Syracuse, Sicily. Six years later, after Paulie's brother Umberto was born, the family decided to settle back in Brooklyn, but Paulie's father stayed for only a few weeks before returning to Italy. Paulie's mother remarried and the two brothers didn't get along with their new stepfather. In 1996 the pair got into a fight with their stepfather and not long after, they were kicked out of the house. Paulie then lived with his grandparents until he got his own home years later. Paulie got into trouble often at school, and was regularly in street fights, taking knives and even a gun some days. He was eventually expelled from high school for getting into fights and ditching classes. His grandfather took him to work each day until Paulie pleaded that he be allowed to take up boxing. He was eventually given the chance, and never looked back.
Upon turning pro in 2001, Malignaggi won his first 21 fights before suffering his first loss in a grueling battle with multiple-division champion Miguel Cotto in June 2006.
Malignaggi got back on track with a unanimous decision victory over Edner Cherry at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, February 17, 2007.
On June 16, 2007, Malignaggi defeated Lovemore N'dou via a 12 unanimous decision to win the IBF Light Welterweight Championship at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. The bout was one sided with one judge awarding the bout a 120–106. Lennox Lewis, who was commentating at ringside for HBO, described Malignaggi's performance as a "boxing clinic." After this win and the victory over Edner Cherry earlier in the year, Malignaggi was awarded the Ring Magazine comeback of the year award at the end of 2007.