HBO Boxing: Malignaggi Outpoints Cherry In New York

Last night at the Hammerstein Ballroom In New York, Paulie Malignaggi made a successful return to boxing after suffering a physically damaging loss to Miguel Cotto last summer by soundly outpointing Edner Cherry over ten rounds at light welter. On the undercard, light middleweight Sechew Powell made his own comeback after a loss, decisioning Ishe Smith, also over ten rounds.

Local man Malignaggi, now 22-1 (5), used his superior speed and footwork to hold sway over Cherry for eight of the ten rounds. The Bahamas born, Florida based Cherry, 21-5-2 (10), found range on the flashy Brooklynite in the second and fifth rounds but largely was made to miss and ate a considerable number of counter shots in the process. Malignaggi swept the scorecards 100-90 and 98-92 (twice).

With the victory, Malignaggi sets himself up for another title challenge but it remains to be seen whether or not the “Magic Man” has can compete with the top class at 140 lb, a division home to such current or former world champions as Ricky Hatton, Jose Luis Castillo, Diego Corrales, Junior Witter, Lovemore N’dou and Vivian Harris.

Following a comprehensive points loss to ex-world titlist Kassim Ouma last August, Sechew Powell, 21-1 (12), came back strong in his contest with Ishe Smith, 18-2 (8), outhustling the former Contender contestant after climbing off the canvas in the fourth round to pick up the win via scores of 97-92 on all three judge’s cards.

Welter prospect Andre Berto, 17-0 (15), continued his win streak with a devastating performance against 36 year old journeyman Noberto Bravo, 23-13-3 (12). Former Haitian Olympian Berto canvassed Bravo three times in quick succession, forcing referee Joe Cusano to wave off the bout at 2:28 of the first round.