It looks like bare knuckle fans haven’t seen the last of Paulie Malignaggi.
The former boxing champion said he’s “close to finalising negotiations” for a world title fight against BKB Junior Middleweight Champion Rolando Dy.
According to Malignaggi, the lure of winning titles in two different combat sports is hard to resist.
“I relish the prospect of becoming a two-sport world champion, but it’s not going to be easy,” he said.
War Wounds
Malignaggi returned to bare knuckle this past October with a split decision win over Tyler Goodjohn. The fight ended a six-year layoff for the 45-year-old. Malignaggi’s previous ungloved bout was a decision loss to rival Artem Lobov at BKFC 6 in June 2019.
Paulie suffered injuries in the bruising battle with Goodjohn. He was cut and suffered vision loss in his right eye from an accidental eye poke. Additionally, Malignaggi said his ribs were broken.
Fans urged Malignaggi to retire after they saw his facial damage and he announced the injuries. Paulie has ignored calls for his retirement, and instead cast his gaze on the championship gold held by the rugged Dy.
The 34-year-old Dy brings a bare-knuckle ledger of 5-1 (4 Kos) into the showdown with “The Magic Man”. The only fighter to last the distance with the hard-hitting Filipino is Liam Rees, whom Dy defeated for the title in Cardiff last December.
Dy, like Goodjohn before him, will probably be favoured to defeat Malignaggi if the fight is finalised. The newly crowned champion has showed savvy, a strong clinch game and solid power in ungloved combat.
Will Malignaggi be able to find a way to defeat the younger, more experienced champion?
Fans could find out soon.
Photo Credit: BKB
