The Premier Boxing Champions are bringing us another primetime boxing card of quality and intrigue to the Barclay’s Center tomorrow night on ESPN. The WBC, WBA Super, and Ring Magazine champion at 140 pounds, Danny Garcia, will be moving up to fight at Welterweight (147 pounds) for the first time. His foil will be Paulie Malignaggi, a former two division champion at 140 and 147.
For Danny Garcia, who has seven defenses under his belt, the last a tough decision over Lamont Peterson in the same arena he will be fighting Paulie, it’s a rare opportunity to train without worry over weight.
“For the first time in my life I can train just to get better.”
Garcia explained, “Not just to lose weight. I was able to eat the right foods and just focus on things like my defense and footwork.”
Garcia even channeled his inner Rocky by duplicating an old training method that made ESPN’s Top Ten videos. He pointed out the exposure helps boxing in general.
“We did something different for this training camp, we chased chickens.”
Danny laughed, “But being on Sportscenter is a good look for boxing to see where it’s going.”
Paulie Malignaggi is coming off a fourth round stoppage by Shawn Porter in his last fight but it’s not the losses but the victories that have defined him. Paulie knows what people say and he uses it to spring the occasional surprise. Although not known for power he is a quick and flashy boxer with a good chin and heart to match and that has been his go to talent, thus living up to the “Magic Man” moniker.
“It’s been an emotional camp because I find myself thrust back into the limelight of a major fight.”
Paulie shared, “I quietly and surely have had one of my best training camps. There is no excuse here. I love and relish these kind of challenges.”
Paulie is a Brooklyn kid and the irony of the situation is not lost on him. Where every fight is threatening to be his last as a relevant player in this sport, Paulie uses the vision of his dreams to bring something more out of himself. “From a personal and professional standpoint my career which started 14 years ago in Brooklyn, NY is the place where a lot of people think it’s going to end.” Maglignaggi pointed out, “I, like fans put myself into the conversation and ask my best vs Danny Garcia’s best, who would win? We have a chance to find out and I am very confident about Saturday night.” Garcia simple responded by predicting what we will see at 147.
“You are going to see a spectacular Danny Garcia.”
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