By Ian S Palmer
There will be an all-Brooklyn showdown on Saturday, December 7 when Zab Judah takes on Paulie Malignaggi in a 12-round bout between a pair of former world champions. Naturally the bout will be held in Brooklyn and this card will be broadcast by Showtime in the U.S. and Super Channel in Canada. The fight is also for the vacant NABF Welterweight Title.
The 32-year-old Malignaggi enters the ring with a record of 32-5 along with 7 Kos and is a former junior welterweight and welterweight world champion. He stands 5-foot-8 and has a 70-inch reach. He’s always been an entertaining fighter even though he doesn’t possess much in the way of power at all. He’s fast, has good boxing skills and throws a lot of punches to keep the fans happy.
He’s been a handful for all opponents over the years and his five losses have all come against world champions such as Juan Diaz, Amir Khan, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton and Adrian Broner. He beat Diaz in a rematch and his last bout earlier this year was a decision loss to Broner. If he had even average power Malignaggi could have been one of the best boxers of his generation.
The 36-year-old Judah comes into the bout with a 42-8 record and has 29 Kos to his credit. He’s a little shorter at just over 5-foot-7, but has a two-inch reach advantage. Judah is a former three-time junior welterweight champion and at one time was the undisputed titleholder in the welterweight division. He’s taken on the best fighters out there for over a decade and a half now and is still an entertaining boxer with decent power.
Judah is a southpaw with good speed and boxing ability and is still going strong for a man of his age. If he does have any weakness at this stage of his career it could be his questionable chin. However, this may not be much of a factor against the light-hitting Malignaggi. Judah will find Malignaggi is just as fast and skilled as he is and this could be frustrating for him.
Malignaggi has faced bigger fighters than Judah and harder punchers in his career, but the problem is when he met them he usually came out of the ring with a loss hanging over him. Judah has also taken on the best in the division over the years so both of these guys are used to tough opponents. Malignaggi is arguably a bit of a better boxer, but Judah definitely has the advantage when it comes to power.
This has the potential to be an entertaining bout between two guys who don’t have any animosity between them. Judah may be tempted to try and walk through Malignaggi, but even a light-hitter can sometimes take you out if he connects with the perfect punch. If Malignaggi isn’t able to connect on the button early in the fight then Judah will grow in confidence.
Judah is likely to test Malignaggi’s power early by being the aggressor. It will be up to Malignaggi to earn some respect and if he can then he’s going to be on level footing. Judah seems to have the better skills in all aspects of the sport here, perhaps other than his chin. Malignaggi certainly works hard in the ring and throws enough punches to win his share of rounds. This could end up being a close bout and don’t be surprised if Malignaggi does just enough to eke out a close decision win or draw.
