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Observing Paulie Malignaggi’s and Juan Diaz’s first fight together this past August, I took heavy notice of the clash of their styles.
Malignaggi is faster, he reminds me of a spider cricket; hard to catch. Diaz packs a heavier punch. Malignaggi is punching twice the rate, thus could be equivalent to a power punch or just more precise. Although regarded as an elite lightweight, Diaz was obviously not prepared for the fight and it showed.
Malignaggi completely dominated the majority of the rounds and proved to be a test for Diaz. Could Diaz’s performance against Juan Manuel Marquez be comparable to his style against the Magic Man? What has he not changed and why did he not adjust his technique? Juan Diaz got a wake up call against Malignaggi, let’s see on Saturday in Chicago if he answers it.
Malignaggi was in tune for the match and well aware he needed an adjustment from his former trainer after he barely showed and projected any skill against Ricky Hatton. He was very focused when it was time to go up against the Baby Bull. Now perhaps Diaz has smartened up and will bring a sharp tactic to the ring. He’s got it, he has to prove it this time around. He has to develop his ploys for this Saturday night.
Diaz needs to bring back his concentration in the ring. He is able to do it outside the ring — furthering his priceless higher education and going onto law school. Not to mention he has been portrayed as being little affected towards critics and his opponent after the highly controversial decision in Houston. He’s been handling verbal attacks with a classy and calm demeanor. However, it matters inside the lions den.
If Diaz wins by decision in the rematch, in hopes the judges do their jobs, it’s safe to say that Malignaggi was the best example Diaz could ever learn from in his boxing career thus far.
Is the Magic Man at his best? There’s no time frame when a boxer fights at their prime. I’d like to see him against a foe from the past. And against Timothy Bradley. Or move up to welterweight. I wonder how he’d do against Marquez? If he can go in with “the toughest” of this time, you can then all rightfully judge the prestige and level of Malignaggi. Time will see if he’s consistent. Although The Magic Man stated the ring size was not to his advantage, he worked with it, not against it.
As for the Baby Bull, granted he wins, he should go up against Marquez after the rematch. By doing so, we can see the transition of his skill since being in the ring with Malignaggi. Its also a question of how comfortable Diaz is with himself. If he is sure of his tactics and ploys, he can undoubtedly play them out.
He can’t rely on the level of agility of his opponent, he has to rely on the level of agility in himself. The punches he lands can allow him to dictate the fight, if he let’s himself work. Although Diaz’s last fight added a “W” to his record, the only talent that was defined in that fight was Malignaggi’s.
Diaz vs Malignaggi II, let’s see who REALLY wins.
