IBF Championship Boxing: Malignaggi Sets Trap For N’dou

Outspoken boxer Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi has been relatively quiet, at least for him, as he prepares for his June 16th title challenge against IBF junior welterweight champion Lovemore “Black Panther” Ndou on HBO BAD at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Malignaggi (23-1, 5 KOs) recently returned home to New York City, working out at famed Gleason’s Gym, after several weeks of intensive training and sparring in Vero Beach (FL) under the guidance of his trainer James “Buddy” McGirt.

“The Magic Man” has a message for the trash-talking Ndou, who thus far has spouted more verbal venom than Malignaggi. “His only job is to bring my belt to Connecticut,” Malignaggi said.

“I haven’t been talking as much because I’ve been getting better focused for this fight than any in my career. I talk because I’m scared? Let him feel that way but there’s no fear in Paulie Malignaggi.

“What’s he been saying? If he thinks talking is out of fear, than he must be real scared. We both talk a lot but he’s been doing more of the talking for this fight. I’ve been getting prepared. I have experienced a world championship fight (last year versus Miquel Cotto) and I know what it takes. I’m the best fighting shape of my life.

“While Ndou’s been talking, I’ve been working real hard. We can do this anyway he likes. I’m going to trap him, cage him and box him all night long. What’s he going to do? He says that he’s a multi-dimensional fighter. He can’t out box me; it’s physically impossible.

“The only thing left for him is to come forward and try to break me down. That’s going to take a lot of work and he’s going to take a lot of punishment if it goes 12 rounds. He’s going to be baffled. He won’t know what’s happening and at the end of the night, he’s going to lose the title, regardless of what he does.”

Their only common opponent is Cotto, who both Malignaggi, 26, and Ndou extended the full 12 rounds, Much has been made of 35-year-old Ndou’s experience (45-8-1, 30 KOs) but Malignaggi counters with his age, quickness and speed advantages.

“I don’t know what all the fuss is about this guy,” Paulie added. “Every time he’s stepped up, he’s been beaten (Cotto, Junior Witter, Sharmba Mitchell). My last fight (WDEC10 vs. Edner Cherry) was my first with ‘Buddy’ in my corner. We only had time to experiment with some things.

“This fight I’ll be executing what we’ve worked on and I’ve become a more complete fighter. I’m going to be sharp and more explosive than I’ve been since I first hurt my hands. They feel great, now.

“I don’t expect him to be bothered by the crowd (Mohegan Sun is a lot closer to Malignaggi’s Brooklyn home than either Ndou’s native South Africa or his Sydney, Australia residence), but I promise to give him a nice house warming party. I just want to make sure he brings my belt with him.”