Saturday night, on the main event of HBO's Boxing After Dark card, Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi, 27-3 (5), used his jab and speed to defeat Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz, 35-3 (17), registering a 12 round unanimous decision to become the new NABO Welterweight Champion.
It was a rematch of their fight four months ago for the vacant NABO Junior Welter Weight title fight. Diaz won the vacant title back in August, but not without controversy as many thought that Malignaggi should have won. One judge scored the fight a lopsided 118-110 while the other judges scored the fight much closer sparking Saturday night’s rematch.
Paulie Malignaggi, who repeatedly asked for a fair shake and a fairly judged fight, got his redemption Saturday night and never disappointed the 17,000 in attendance. He came into the fight saying he would not change much but just do what he did in the last match better and more convincingly. Throughout the fight he was the more crisp fighter, landing his jab at will and moving before the “Baby Bull” could attack.
In the second round Malignaggi opened a cut on the left eye of Diaz by a punch, but it did not play a major role in the decision of the fight. Malignaggi always seemed to be in control of the fight even when he seemed to forget about boxing and mock his opponent. He continually mocked Diaz by dancing, opening his mouth, and winding up his punches before he threw them.
Diaz seemed to wake up in round five and came out swinging. He immediately attacked Malignaggi and forced him into the corner, doing his best to get the fight out of the middle of the ring. This was short lived as Malignaggi was able to block most of the punches and regain control of the fight with his jab and evasiveness.
As smooth as the fight was flowing, it would not live up to its hype without a little controversy. After both fighters threw punches, Malignaggi held his glove behind the head of Diaz, pushed him down and away. Diaz lost his balance as his glove appeared to scrape the canvas.Referee Genaro Rodriguez called it a knockdown and started the count. Diaz gave a look of amazement and threw up his arms in disbelief. In this writers opinion, this was not a knockdown and should have been ruled a push.
As the two fighters battled in the twelfth round they finished the fight like it should have been finished. Diaz fought feverishly out of desperation to get the knockout, while Malignaggi held his ground and swung away in an attempt to prove himself.
As both stood there at the bell of the final round, Malignaggi’s fate again landed in the hands of the judges. This time there would be no controversy as all three judges scored the fight 116-112. Paulie Malignaggi dominated the fight with not only a good jab, but his speed and ability to punch from different angles.
At the post fight interview Malignaggi asked who he would like to see next. If he had his choice he said it would be Juan Manuel Marquez, 50-5-1 (37). One thing I am sure of, if he gets his wish of Marquez, all of his antics of head shaking, jaw dropping, and dancing will not be taking place.
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PHOTO CREDIT: AP PHOTO PAUL BEATY
