By Nick Bellafatto
After a nasty war of words all throughout the pre-fight build-up, a valiant effort by the now former WBA welterweight champion Pualie “Magic Man” Malignaggi (32-5, 7 KO’s) would be for not, this in front of adoring hometown fans at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
That’s to say Paulie would come up short on the scorecards via split decision verdict, 117-111, 115-113, and 113-115, surrendering his title to the still undefeated and now three-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (27-0, 22 KO’s) of Cincinnati, Ohio.
PHOTO: USATSI
The difference would prove to be the power and defense of the pound-for-pound Broner, as they would no doubt factor decisively into the scoring as opposed to the higher volume but less effective work exhibited by the light hitting Malignaggi.
Jumping out to an early lead as the busier fighter over the first half of the bout, Paulie Malignaggi would during the latter half become victimized, succumbing to the flush counter-right hands of the stalking Broner, amongst other power shots, while “The Problem’s” defense would eventually tighten up to otherwise block or elude what more the defending champion had to offer.
With this the man considered the heir-apparent to Floyd Mayweather Jr. would not only make his debut on Showtime Championship Boxing a successful one, but after jumping up two weight classes to join the ranks of a select few, would just as well successfully foray into the welterweight division.
Bika squeeks by Periban to claim vacant WBC title
Ranked #3 by the WBC, formerly undefeated Marco Antonio Periban (20-1, 13 KO’s) in his attempt to become the first ever 168-pound champion of Mexican descent, would fall short on the scorecards to veteran fighter and WBC #1 rated Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika (32-5-2, 21 KO’s).
The final tallies would read 116-112, 115-113, and 114 apiece so that Bika of Sydney, Australia by way of Cameroon would lay claim to the WBC super middleweight title, a distinction reluctantly vacated by pound-for-pound fighter Andre S.O.G. Ward under the threat of being stripped.
Considered by many a gatekeeper type in that he’s only lost to boxing’s top tier, the free swinging 34 year-old Bika, now under the tutelage of Devon Alexander trainer Kevin Cunningham, would overall either land glancing blows, and or have the majority of his wide punches picked off by a well-schooled Periban.
In essence, the Mexico City resident while sitting in the pocket, a place where many thought he shouldn’t be, for the most part connected better, landing short shots in between so that in my eyes he should have been awarded a decision victory.
Stated Periban, “I feel that I won this fight and the people in the crowd thought I won this fight. I landed the better punches. I’m a better boxer, he’s a dirty fighter. He started the head butts. He’s walking out of the arena with the belt under a lie.”
Banks in lackluster showing gives titles away to Mitchell
Lying in wait to mainly look for a counter-right hand, defending NABO and WBC International heavyweight titlist Jonathon Banks (27-0, 22 KO’s) of Detroit, Michigan would finally connect flush in round 3 to stun opponent Seth Mitchell of Brandywine, Maryland, this in a rematch after Banks during their first encounter had kayoed the ex-college football player within two rounds.
Following up almost immediately with a flurry of blows in that same third frame, this after Banks lost the previous round 10-8 the result of a non-existent knockdown, Jonathon would drive his opponent across the ring, only to see an out on his feet Mitchell survive to the bell.
Surprisingly though, Banks even though appearing to have the upper-hand should he have exchanged with his opponent, would for the remainder of the bout go into a shell, thus allowing the fight to slip away round-by-round.
As a result, the ineffective but slightly busier Mitchell would emerge triumphant via unanimous decision in a lackluster affair that drew mainly boo’s from those in attendance. The final tallies would read 117-109, 115-112, and 114-112.
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