Malignaggi vs. Lora on Saturday: Paulie hopes to get a title shot soon

By Boxing News - 10/12/2011 - Comments

Image: Malignaggi vs. Lora on Saturday: Paulie hopes to get a title shot soonBy Allen Fox: Former IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi (29-4, 6 KO’s) will take on Orlando Lora (28-1-1, 19 KO’s) in a scheduled 10 round bout on the undercard of the fight between WBC light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California.

Malignaggi, ranked #3 WBA, #8 WBC, #8 WBO, #11 IBF in the welterweight division, is hoping to get a title shot against one of the welterweight champions in the near future. A win over Lora could really help Malignaggi’s case for a title shot. He’s already very much demand by some of the up and coming contenders such as Kell Brook, who is hoping he can use Malignaggi as a stepping stone opponent to get closer to a title shot near year. That’s not likely to happen, as Malignaggi is facing nothing but 2nd tier opponents since moved up to the welterweight division in December 2010.

Malignaggi lasted defeat last year at the hands of WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan, who stopped Malignaggi in the 11th round in May 2010.

Malignaggi told Yahoo Sports News “I don’t think I’m too far off [from getting a title shot]. Between by ability to win fights and the strong team I have behind me with Golden Boy Promotions and Anthony Cantanzaro, my manager, I think I’m very close. If not fora world title then at least for a big fight that could lead to a world title.”

Lora, 30, probably isn’t the right fight that Malignaggi needs to get a title shot just year. Lora looked bad in losing an eight round decision to David Estrada last year in April. Other than that, Lora has faced exclusively 2nd and 3rd tier opposition his entire career. But he sure did struggle against Estrada.

Malignaggi should beat Lora without any problems but it won’t likely be by knockout. Lora can take a decent shot, so if Malignaggi wants an impressive knockout he’s going to have to really put the pressure on Lora and load up with everything.



Comments are closed.