Boxing Upate: Malignaggi Recovery Ahead Of Schedule For Upcoming HBO Hatton Clash

IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi, 25-1 (5), is significantly ahead of schedule in terms of full recovery from his May 28 surgery to repair a fractured metacarpal bone of the middle finger on his right hand.

Malignaggi already is preparing for his November 22 mega-showdown against Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas, lightly working out in Brooklyn’s famed Gleason’s Gym as well as running three days a week.

“I can start punching in a few weeks,” an ecstatic Malignaggi said after last week’s evaluation by renowned boxing hand specialist, Dr. Steven Margles, at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts.

“I’m building a base now and excited about soon starting training camp with head trainer Buddy McGirt in Vero Beach, Florida. After I beat Hatton, I will be universally recognized as the top junior welterweight in the world.”

Dr. Margles reported, “I’m impressed with how the bone has healed. It looks great and is way ahead of normal healing schedules. Paulie will be able to punch the light bag probably by the end of next week and two weeks later punch with more resistance.”