Paulie Malignaggi vs Juan Diaz
The Magic Man Fights The Baby Bull in a Junior Welterweight Bout
Aug 21, 2009
After Paulie Malignaggi and Juan Diaz collide Saturday night at the Toyota Center (televised on HBO Boxing After Dark) the loser may be on a downhill slide that would give Franz Klammer the jitters. Although Malignaggi and Diaz are only 28 and 25, respectively, They've each shown enough vulnerability and lack of power to make warriors of opponents who normally would be of lesser constitution.
Malignaggi is coming off a loss to Ricky Hatton that punctuated a series of lackluster performances against the likes of Edner Cherry and Lovemore N'dou. It could be argued that his most impressive performance to date was a gallant, but bloody, loss to Miguel Cotto in June 2006.
HBO Invested Heavily in Juan Diaz
In some ways Diaz's reputation is in greater peril than Malignaggi's simply because HBO invested so much money and public relations muscle behind him. Touting his relentless fighting pace, poor-boy-done-good quest for a college degree (which he has since earned), and his relative youth upon snatching his first world title (a WBA belt in 2006) HBO had the Baby Bull set to become a cash cow for the foreseeable future. Then he was overwhelmed by Nate Campell, ten years his senior, a little bit smarter, and every bit as tough. Diaz hung in for a split decision loss.
Another "old man," 35-year-old Juan Manuel Marquez, knocked Diaz stiff with an uppercut in the ninth round last February. Fighting Malignaggi will seem like a vacation.
Paulie Malignaggi Relies on Slick Boxing
Paulie has no power. Of his 26 victories, he has knocked out only five men. To compensate, he uses his speed and footwork to potshot from the outside, upper body movement to avoid punches, and his legs to create angles or distance. He's a pure boxer. The question he must answer tomorrow night is whether he can keep Diaz off of him. And when the Baby Bull does get close, can he execute his veronicas without getting gored?
Diaz has knocked out his share of fighters, (17 of his 34 victories) though by accumulation rather than thudding power. If Diaz can corner Malignaggi for significant portions of each round he has a chance of winning the fight. A stoppage isn't likely since Malignaggi weathered Miguel Cotto's relentless assault for a full twelve rounds and Paulie doesn't have the pop to dissuade Diaz.
Juan Diaz Versus Paulie Malignaggi is Classic Slugger Versus Boxer
This fight presents a classic case of slugger versus boxer and who will the judges favor. In close fights, modern judges tend to favor aggression over fighters who try to channel Willie Pep all night.
Tomorrow night the Toyota Center becomes a plaza de toros.
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