Malignaggi's Taste For The Fight Game Soured After Cotto Weigh-in Debacle

Malignaggi's Taste For The Fight Game Soured After Cotto Weigh-in Debacle

http://www.secondsout.com/USA/news.cfm?ccs=229&cs=20201

By Michael Norby: Dr David J Ryan gave Paulie Malignaggi the news that he had longed to hear on Monday August 21st. The senior plastic surgeon from The Lahey Clinic and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts saw fit to give Malignaggi the green light to resume training and thus paved the way for a proposed return to the ring for the Brooklyn native this December.
Malignaggi,21-1-(5), suffered horrific facial injuries at the hands of WBO junior-welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden, New York on June 10th. His attempt to relieve the Puerto Rican of his title ended in a 12 round defeat for Malignaggi who, in addition to a broken orbital bone, gained the respect of boxing fans throughout the world as a reward for his courageous effort.
However, that evening in New York would change Malignaggi's outlook on the sport that he has loved and trusted ever since he was a child growing up in Brooklyn. Going into the bout, Malignaggi was supremely confident that his boxing ability, movement and hand speed would neutralize the power advantage that Cotto possessed. Couple that with the fact that Cotto's excruciating efforts to make 140lbs would significantly weaken the champion, and Team Malignaggi must have been feeling pretty good about their chances.
Enter the New York State Athletic Commission, who decreed that the June 9th weigh-in for the bout take place at 1pm instead of the traditional time of 5pm. This gave Cotto a significant amount of extra time to recharge and gain weight and, as the two fighters met in the center of the ring, the size difference was instantly apparent.
Malignaggi believes that the weight factor, in addition to the small ring, changed his strategy for the fight and therefore may have changed the outcome.
"A couple of things changed my approach to that fight." said Malignaggi, "The early weigh-in was definitely something we were not happy about. But it was the day before [the fight] and it wasn't something that I wanted to concentrate on too much because I wanted to focus on the fight.
"Then, on top of that you had the small ring, which kind of made me not want to use it as much. I wanted to smother him rather than use the ring because I felt I had no room to move around. You know, it kind of changed my approach a bit but you've got to take what you got."
Disappointed but accepting in defeat, the brash Italian-American went about his business, and after completing surgery one week after the bout, he began the long healing process. He had proven to the world that he belonged among the sport's elite fighters and now he waited patiently, determined to come back stronger than ever and climb the short ladder to the top of the junior welterweight division.
He waited, not allowing his burning desire to get back into the ring to dictate his actions. He said, "When you get an injury like that you have to make sure that you heal properly before you start training and taking punches because it could break on you again and really set you back. You want to do it the right way and I'm excited that earlier this week I got the clearance to train. It's been a long time coming and I'm antsy to get back in the gym."
His determination is as strong as ever, but as Malignaggi points out, his motivation has changed. No longer is 'The Magic Man' looking to cement a legacy, nor is he out to promote the sport of boxing. Paulie Malignaggi is out for himself and to make money so that he can retire a rich man, and he will use boxing solely for that purpose, just as he believes that boxing has used him.
His grievance with the sport and his home state athletic commission (NYSAC) was brought to light before the August 5th HBO fight between Ike Quartey and Vernon Forrest in Madison Square Garden, New York - the same venue where almost two months before, Paulie suffered a possible career threatening injury against a much bigger man in Cotto.
It was brought to Malignaggi's attention that the weigh-in for the Forrest/Quartey bout was at 5:30pm the day before the fight, and not the 1pm time slot that was the case in his last fight.
An incensed Malignaggi explains why this is a burning issue. "Two weeks ago Ike Quartey fought Vernon Forrest and it was at Madison Square Garden in New York. The weigh-in was at 5:30 or 6pm the day before." He continued, "When we complained about the 1pm weigh-in on June 9th [for the Cotto fight] they told us that the early weigh-in was going to be the new rule in New York State from now on. Then two weeks ago at the big HBO fight the weigh-in is at 5:30 or 6pm. It makes me want to spit on somebody.
"It may seem like a little thing, but it's not - when you're fighting Miguel Cotto - who is such a big puncher and puts on so much weight and who depends on putting on that weight because he is so weak at the original weigh-in - then it bothers me. But there's nothing I can do about. I just look at boxing now as something that will make me money and set me up for life - not as something that I'll enjoy from here on."
Malignaggi feels let down and betrayed by the sport that he felt he had so much to offer and he has adjusted his approach dramatically, swapping his dreams of a hall of fame career and greatness in favor of a more cynical and selfish approach. He believes that this will hold him in good stead as he progresses through his career.
He said, "There was a person in Paulie Malignaggi that loved boxing. He loved boxing and he would always defend it in any argument and wanted to be an ambassador for the sport. People used to say to me that I had the looks and the charisma to bring boxing to the next generation and I was willing to do that. But now, I'm in this for myself.
"At the beginning of my career and even before the fight, I always had dreams of being in the hall of fame and remembered as a great world champion. I couldn't care less about any of that now. I look at boxing more as my job and I just want to make money out of it and win world titles. Whatever gets me the most amount and will set me up for life. I've completely changed my approach because I'm so disgusted with boxing as a whole."
Malignaggi, while completely soured by the shenanigans surrounding the Cotto fight, still sees the experience as a valuable lesson. He is confident that his experience on June 10th will help him immensely as he sets his sights on the likes of Ricky Hatton and Jose Luis Castillo in the near future.
"This experience is very valuable. I wouldn't take the 12 rounds that I fought with Miguel Cotto back for anything. In the end, it's something that I will learn from and will help me in those fights with Hatton or Castillo. I believed that I showed that I could outbox Miguel Cotto."
Aside from the financial rewards that he will enjoy if he can successfully achieve all he needs to at 140lbs, the New Yorker has another goal. It's something that he already thirsts for - a rematch with Miguel Cotto. Malignaggi is so eager to fight Cotto again that he'll even follow the Puerto Rican up to 147lbs to gain his revenge.
He said, "I hope and pray that I can get him [Cotto] again, even at welterweight. I don't mean this as disrespect to Miguel Cotto, but I know that the rematch won't even be tough for me. I just need an average sized ring and I'll do what I need to do to Miguel Cotto"
When asked what could be done to banish corruption and favoritism once and for all from the fight game, Malignaggi conceded that the outlook was bleak, "Boxing will never be as big as it was in the 80's, 70's or 60's." He added, "But it will always be around and top level fighters will always be able to make a lot of money. Boxing will remain a second tier sport because of all this going on. It's not going to change."
Maybe boxing won't change, but one thing is clear - the threat of career altering incidents, perceived or otherwise is turning young fighters away from boxing or souring their experience in the sport that used to be king in America. People wonder why the fight game is faltering in the United States, why there are no young American heavyweights coming through the ranks for example - maybe Malignaggi's story will go some way towards answering the question.
August 25, 2006.

Please. Just say that you got your ass kicked so bad that you want out of the game. ::**

Be a man about it.

Just kidding...go Paulie. :-X

Well I am glad he's realised that boxing isn't a fair business but I don't think that should dictate his emotiosn enough for him to want to destroy his dreams over it. Because it was that determination that kept him standing against Miguel Cotto. As long as he fights the best and doesn't duck anyone I won't have a problem with him being in it for the money.

I don't get this guy after all the trash talking he did, he got his face broken, lost in what was a good fight and he still has all these excuses and then says he would make easy work of Cotto in a rematch, I don't think so. He needs to take his lose and move on.

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Originally Posted by aangel

I don't get this guy after all the trash talking he did, he got his face broken, lost in what was a good fight and he still has all these excuses and then says he would make easy work of Cotto in a rematch, I don't think so. He needs to take his lose and move on.

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He did.

But apparently he hates the situation and wants a rematch. Which I wouldn't mind seeing but Malignaggi is too green right now. And if he has lost his determination for a legacy, the same determination that kept him standing he may not go for much longer

I think he is still bitter because of the loss, to say he would not have a hard fight with Cotto in rematch at 147 shows it. sure I can understand the 4 hours early weigh in but im not not sure on the ring size thing, Cotto is very good at cutting off the ring, and paul knew going in Cotto is a very hard pucher even when he has trouble making weight, I just think they are excuses.

I was beginning to take a likening to him,for taking a beating like a man but I was wrong,I mean,saying the ring was too small?!?! Does he want to get his face broken again? He needs to learn life isn't fair! Why doesn't he move to 147and fight a Cotto that is not weight drained and see if he lasts? And if anything,all the extra weight Cotto was carrying was to Paulies advantage,a smarter man would have boxed more,try to tire Cotto out.
Look at Diego Corrales after he got KTFO by Castillo,in their second fight where he could have cancelled the match,he did not whine on and on and on like a bitch!Paulie's crying like a little bitch!

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Originally Posted by El Phenomena

I was beginning to take a likening to him,for taking a beating like a man but I was wrong,I mean,saying the ring was too small?!?! Does he want to get his face broken again? He needs to learn life isn't fair! Why doesn't he move to 147and fight a Cotto that is not weight drained and see if he lasts? And if anything,all the extra weight Cotto was carrying was to Paulies advantage,a smarter man would have boxed more,try to tire Cotto out.
Look at Diego Corrales after he got KTFO by Castillo,in their second fight where he could have cancelled the match,he did not whine on and on and on like a bitch!Paulie's crying like a little bitch!

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Corrales DID whine like a bitch. Just not in the post fight interview Anakin!

Yep, another HBO manipulation for an HBO fighter.

pauli will do great in the future hes awesome and i'm sure he only got better from that fight ,.. this was just a setback,Pauli is an extremely skilled and naturally gifted fighter so we'll see more of him 4sure!!

I think the biggest problem for Malignaggi, is he underestimates his opponents, and with his attitude he always will.
Put him in with Hatton or Castillo, he will get the same result.

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Originally Posted by killersheep

I think the biggest problem for Malignaggi, is he underestimates his opponents, and with his attitude he always will.
Put him in with Hatton or Castillo, he will get the same result.

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I don't think he underestimated Cotto. I just think he tried to do too much instead of enough and thats what got him dropped

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Originally Posted by Majesty

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Originally Posted by killersheep

I think the biggest problem for Malignaggi, is he underestimates his opponents, and with his attitude he always will.
Put him in with Hatton or Castillo, he will get the same result.

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I don't think he underestimated Cotto. I just think he tried to do too much instead of enough and thats what got him dropped

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he said "Cotto can try and box and lose a decision or come after me and get knocked out"
he also said "Cotto is a one-dimensional boxer with no boxing ability, he won't be able to hit me"

sound like underestimating Cotto to me.

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Originally Posted by killersheep

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Originally Posted by Majesty

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Originally Posted by killersheep

I think the biggest problem for Malignaggi, is he underestimates his opponents, and with his attitude he always will.
Put him in with Hatton or Castillo, he will get the same result.

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I don't think he underestimated Cotto. I just think he tried to do too much instead of enough and thats what got him dropped

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he said "Cotto can try and box and lose a decision or come after me and get knocked out"
he also said "Cotto is a one-dimensional boxer with no boxing ability, he won't be able to hit me"

sound like underestimating Cotto to me.

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Sounds like. But you and I both know he trained his as* off for that fight. Mayweather called Gatti C+ and etc and still trained hard not underestimating him.

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Originally Posted by Majesty

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Originally Posted by killersheep

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Originally Posted by Majesty

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Originally Posted by killersheep

I think the biggest problem for Malignaggi, is he underestimates his opponents, and with his attitude he always will.
Put him in with Hatton or Castillo, he will get the same result.

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I don't think he underestimated Cotto. I just think he tried to do too much instead of enough and thats what got him dropped

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he said "Cotto can try and box and lose a decision or come after me and get knocked out"
he also said "Cotto is a one-dimensional boxer with no boxing ability, he won't be able to hit me"

sound like underestimating Cotto to me.

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Sounds like. But you and I both know he trained his as* off for that fight. Mayweather called Gatti C+ and etc and still trained hard not underestimating him.

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Absolutely and I gained a lot of respect for Malignaggi showing so much heart I the battle with Cotto, but every time he opens his mouth my respect level for him drops.

I say he should stick to his guns in exposing HBO

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Originally Posted by maracho

I say he should stick to his guns in exposing HBO

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I don't understand expose HBO, they are a business doing what all business's do.........
It might suck, but it's a fact of life

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Originally Posted by killersheep

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Originally Posted by maracho

I say he should stick to his guns in exposing HBO

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I don't understand expose HBO, they are a business doing what all business's do.........
It might suck, but it's a fact of life

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No..he's going to reveal the love afair between Jermain Taylor and Lou Dibella. THAT's how he will expose HBO ;D because Larry Merchant seems to always look down in mid interview at times when interviewing Taylor...

What's he looking at!? :o

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Originally Posted by maracho

I say he should stick to his guns in exposing HBO

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Who, paulie? If so Cotto is not an HBO fighter in fact he is fighting on showtime in his next bout and the fight between Cotto and Malignagi was put on ppv by top rank also Tarver VS Hopkins was on the same night on HBO PPV,sorry I don't understand the point you are trying to make.

Paulie is one of those dancing darlings if you will, He thought he was a cutie, ended up and ugly. Like most of the fighters who have only the one gear ( reverse) they eventually get caught , and busted up Paulie ego is fragile because he was use to a steady dose of fighting sub par opposition , fighters he could easily fuk about with, play with , get cute with and pay no price, Now when he steps up and fights talent , he get at reality check all at once,, and reality is hard MOFO to take, when you got those narrow shoulders and a false sense of invincibility.

I give Paulie props for taking his beating like a man . I wish he wouldn’t fuk it up by looking for stupid ass excuses.. You got you ass beat, cut and dry, now move on down the road,. No biggie

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Originally Posted by Majesty

No..he's going to reveal the love afair between Jermain Taylor and Lou Dibella.

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Heh heh heh. Gotdam...now that's just gross. ;D

I like Paulie's skills & ring ethics...I really do...& I was impressed that he went the distance with Cotto...but he needs to STFU with this nonsense. He got his ass handed to him & that's that.

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Originally Posted by aangel

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Originally Posted by maracho

I say he should stick to his guns in exposing HBO

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Who, paulie? If so Cotto is not an HBO fighter in fact he is fighting on showtime in his next bout and the fight between Cotto and Malignagi was put on ppv by top rank also Tarver VS Hopkins was on the same night on HBO PPV,sorry I don't understand the point you are trying to make.

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Most "fans" know that Cotto has fought almost exclusively for HBO and that Top Rank is owned by the Arum family which has gone hand in hand with HBO for the most part.
Cotto has always been one of my favorite fighters and I predicted that he would seriously injure Maliganaggi but Cotto and Arum are now just jumping out of a pan and into a fire if they think Showtime is any less controling.

Whatever the case someone or another made some unfair manipulations just as was the case in which Oscar was able to keep Vargas from drinking gatorade. All athletes today drink a variety of sports drinks while competing under the common knowledge that it keeps them more healthy.

WOW!!!!! :o

It took him this long to realize that the boxing business isnt fair? Where has he been.

Manipulations or not "Mr. Growing Up Gatti" New what he was getting into when he signed to fight argueably one of the hardest hitters at 140-147lbs.

Everyone, including Paulie, knew about Cotto's fluctuation in weight...he got beaten. Get over it.

There's no crime in losing to Cotto.

Paulie should stop with the excuses. The weight-in was moved to 3pm after Paulie's team complained. I love the way that Paulie and the media never mentioned that cotto fracture his left hand in the middle rounds, which is likely why he didn't get KOed.

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

Just kidding...go Paulie. :-X

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yeah...that f*ckin weigh in BS was horrible....They bent the rules almost too far......they almost got Paulie Killed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! everyone knew Cotto was going to be drained for the fight....and they catered to him...having 4 extra hours to rehydrate add electrolytes and fluids into the body......it was pure BS!!! Good for Paulie....get all the money you can......

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Originally Posted by aangel

I don't get this guy after all the trash talking he did, he got his face broken, lost in what was a good fight and he still has all these excuses and then says he would make easy work of Cotto in a rematch, I don't think so. He needs to take his lose and move on.

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I think you're abit delusional.......and you are missing the point....he is not denying the loss...but in the way the fight was designed to practically ensure a Cotto win......it was BS...They told him they were changing the weigh in times and in truth they lied to him...they were helping out Cotto.....That should have you upset as well...If not you are not a true boxing fan and just your every day hamanegger.....

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Originally Posted by bigragu

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Originally Posted by aangel

I don't get this guy after all the trash talking he did, he got his face broken, lost in what was a good fight and he still has all these excuses and then says he would make easy work of Cotto in a rematch, I don't think so. He needs to take his lose and move on.

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I think you're abit delusional.......and you are missing the point....he is not denying the loss...but in the way the fight was designed to practically ensure a Cotto win......it was BS...They told him they were changing the weigh in times and in truth they lied to him...they were helping out Cotto.....That should have you upset as well...If not you are not a true boxing fan and just your every day hamanegger.....

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Boxing is and never will be fair,if Paulie can't get used to that,he should get lost firstly and secondly,he should have used his brain,Cotto weighs loads,so BOX but no,he tried to be brave and got his face broken. He could have worn Cotto out,his own fault what happened to him and regardless of that,wasn't Cotto supposed to be 1 dimensional etc etc all the other things he said?!

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Originally Posted by El Phenomena

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Originally Posted by bigragu

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Originally Posted by aangel

I don't get this guy after all the trash talking he did, he got his face broken, lost in what was a good fight and he still has all these excuses and then says he would make easy work of Cotto in a rematch, I don't think so. He needs to take his lose and move on.

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I think you're abit delusional.......and you are missing the point....he is not denying the loss...but in the way the fight was designed to practically ensure a Cotto win......it was BS...They told him they were changing the weigh in times and in truth they lied to him...they were helping out Cotto.....That should have you upset as well...If not you are not a true boxing fan and just your every day hamanegger.....

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Boxing is and never will be fair,if Paulie can't get used to that,he should get lost firstly and secondly,he should have used his brain,Cotto weighs loads,so BOX but no,he tried to be brave and got his face broken. He could have worn Cotto out,his own fault what happened to him and regardless of that,wasn't Cotto supposed to be 1 dimensional etc etc all the other things he said?!

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they basically fought in a phone booth...16 ft ring......you cannot box in a 16 ft ring...you smother or fight...its a welterweight fighting a Middleweight.....and the weighin means everything....unless your a HW...

Nobody pays $$$ on MSG to see a metrosexual-gotti boy running in a big ring. If he wanted a big ring he should have request it on the contract. The weight-in was at 3pm not 1pm.

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Originally Posted by willnav

Nobody pays $$$ on MSG to see a metrosexual-gotti boy running in a big ring. If he wanted a big ring he should have request it on the contract. The weight-in was at 3pm not 1pm.

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cc exactly!!! I thought all that crap was included in the contract? And if it was such a big concern did he not realize before the size of the ring? It just sounds like a bunch of excuses to me.

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Originally Posted by TyBuff

WOW!!!!! :o

It took him this long to realize that the boxing business isnt fair? Where has he been.

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Is that your excuse as you sit back and say nothing like a a typical couch potato?

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Originally Posted by bigragu

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Originally Posted by aangel

I don't get this guy after all the trash talking he did, he got his face broken, lost in what was a good fight and he still has all these excuses and then says he would make easy work of Cotto in a rematch, I don't think so. He needs to take his lose and move on.

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I think you're abit delusional.......and you are missing the point....he is not denying the loss...but in the way the fight was designed to practically ensure a Cotto win......it was BS...They told him they were changing the weigh in times and in truth they lied to him...they were helping out Cotto.....That should have you upset as well...If not you are not a true boxing fan and just your every day hamanegger.....

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Very true.

I think that people are just saying Malignaggi is making excuses when he isn't. The bigger issue is how it all went down. I don't think he minds losing, it's the fact of how it all went down that irks him.

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Originally Posted by maracho

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Originally Posted by TyBuff

WOW!!!!! :o

It took him this long to realize that the boxing business isnt fair? Where has he been.

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Is that your excuse as you sit back and say nothing like a a typical couch potato?

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Is that my excuse for what? ???

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Originally Posted by Starr

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Originally Posted by bigragu

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Originally Posted by aangel

I don't get this guy after all the trash talking he did, he got his face broken, lost in what was a good fight and he still has all these excuses and then says he would make easy work of Cotto in a rematch, I don't think so. He needs to take his lose and move on.

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I think you're abit delusional.......and you are missing the point....he is not denying the loss...but in the way the fight was designed to practically ensure a Cotto win......it was BS...They told him they were changing the weigh in times and in truth they lied to him...they were helping out Cotto.....That should have you upset as well...If not you are not a true boxing fan and just your every day hamanegger.....

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Very true.

I think that people are just saying Malignaggi is making excuses when he isn't. The bigger issue is how it all went down. I don't think he minds losing, it's the fact of how it all went down that irks him.

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I agree with ya if that is the way it went down. But, correct me if Im wrong, I thought the things like ring size, weigh in time were all included in the contracts. Or is it just when the fighters specify?

I can dig Malignaggi's point if they said that they were going to make it the new rules to make weigh ins at 1 o clock. But if they just blatantly lied to him then something is up. Apparently it wasn't in the contract if they told him it was new rules they were instating

Oh...saying the ring was too small is not whining like a bitch ::** ::**

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Originally Posted by maracho

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Originally Posted by TyBuff

WOW!!!!! :o

It took him this long to realize that the boxing business isnt fair? Where has he been.

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Is that your excuse as you sit back and say nothing like a a typical couch potato?

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Paulie's the one making excuses...not Tybuff. ::**

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Originally Posted by maracho

Yep, another HBO manipulation for an HBO fighter.

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??? this fight was not on hbo ::**