Paulie Malignaggi is set to ditch the gloves and duke it out bare-knuckle, live on talkSPORT.
The former boxing world champion has inked a three-fight deal with BKB and will make his promotional debut at BKB 45 on September 6 in Bristol, England.
Malignaggi held world titles at super-lightweight and welterweightGettyMalignaggi’s comeback will be broadcast for free on the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube channel as part of an exclusive UK and Ireland partnership.
It marks Malignaggi’s second attempt at bare-knuckle boxing after previously coming up short against UFC veteran Artem Lobov at BKFC 6 back in June 2019.
That opportunity came after a fruitful 16-year professional boxing career that saw ‘Magic Man’ pick up the IBF super lightweight crown and the lesser WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title.
Along the way, he locked horns with a who’s who of excellent fighters from his era, including Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Shawn Porter, Adrien Broner, and Zab Judah.
With that body of work behind him, Malignaggi could easily walk straight into a world title fight in his new venture.
However, the 44-year-old is intent on doing things right.
“ I could easily use my position to jump right back into a title fight. But you know what?” said Malignaggi.
“That’s not what I’m going to do. I respect the fighters too much.
“Here at BKB, there’s really good contenders in the super welterweight division.
“I know that when this announcement gets around to the contenders, they’re all going to want a piece of me.
Malignaggi lost his bare-knuckle debut to Lobov on pointsGetty“I want to fight one of those top contenders and earn my spot.
“I don’t want to jump the line. I still got what got the goods and I’m chasing that title.”
BKB is fought in the patented triangular ring, the Mighty Trigon, over five three-minute rounds (six rounds for world title fights).
Malignaggi, who has worked as a pundit for the company for several years, has seen firsthand how the smallest fighting surface in combat sports changes the dynamic of fights.
Yet he believes his experience will prevail in the end.
“Having sat ringside at BKB for three years, taking in these amazing fights, I’m always thinking, ‘These guys are impressive, but you know what? I think I can still do that,'” Malignaggi added.
At 44, he is back for a second roll of the diceGetty“I used to fight 10, 12 rounds. I can still do 5 or 6 rounds.
“Ultimately, I want to prove something to myself.
“I’m in the best shape I’ve been in in years, and being able to say I’ve been at the top of the game in two sports would just solidify my legacy in fighting.
“I don’t know who my first opponent will be yet, but I am confident that BKB will give me someone I can really test myself against.”
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