By Sevak Sarkisian: As every boxing fan knows, two division world champion Paulie Malignaggi will be stepping into the ring to defend his WBA world title for the second time against undefeated and current WBC lightweight world titlist Adrien Broner on June 22nd at the Barclays Center. Many boxing analysts and fans believe this will be a fairly easy fight for the young 23 year old Broner. However, there are many reasons supporting the contrary.
Adrien Broner clearly hasn’t fought a fighter as accomplished as Malignaggi since facing Ponce De Leon in March of 2011 at 130lbs. Daniel Ponce De Leon put some hands on Broner in that fight and made Broner become hesitant and unsure of himself at times. Paulie is not only a much bigger man than Ponce De Leon, but he also possesses quicker hand speed.
It’s no secret that Broner tries to emulate Floyd Mayweather when he fights. However, His defense is no were near as good as Floyd’s. In Broner’s last fight against Gavin Rees, I noticed he was getting hit often in the first few rounds. Gavin Rees is an extremely small lightweight at only 5’4 in height and for him to land as much as he did against Broner said a lot. If the small Rees was able to exploit Broners overrated defense for the beginning of their fight, than I believe Malignaggi can do so as well.
I also am very well aware of the fact that Malignaggi has been mentally tested in his career many times and he has not folded. I am not saying Broner is mentally fragile but we simply don’t know yet because none of his previous opponents have pushed him to that point. I also believe Malignaggi’s reach and ability to quickly move around the ring will give Broner’s wide stance some trouble.
Malignaggi has also fought better opposition out of the two, fighting guy’s like Cotto, Hatton, Kahn and Diaz. Broner will not be the hardest puncher Paulie has been in the ring with and to be honest I don’t believe he will be showing many things that Paulie hasn’t already seen. Broner has extremely fast hands but is he faster than Kahn? He has good power for a lightweight but I’m sure it’s not something Paulie hasn’t tasted before. This fight has all the ingredients of being a good fight and it’s my personal believe that it will be a competitive fight and an entertaining one as well.
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