Photo by Tom Casino/Golden Boy Promotions
Former WBA Welterweight champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi makes his return on December 7, 2013 against former undisputed Welterweight champion Zab Judah in a bout that has been termed “The Battle of Brooklyn.”
While the name suggests it will be a fight for the supremacy of one of New York’s five boroughs, it will actually be more of a competitive exhibition of skill between two veterans who have known and respected each other for a long time.
It is also a pivotal point in the careers of both fighters.
Judah and Malignaggi are both coming off losses against highly-touted young fighters. Malignaggi lost his belt to Adrien Broner in a fight where he stifled the offense of an opponent many believed to have had a high pound-for-pound status.
Judah is also coming off a loss against undisputed Light Welterweight champion Danny Garcia.
Judah lost via decision, but had his moments throughout the fight in which he managed to outbox and land punches on Garcia.
Both men need to prove that their previous bouts were not merely a “passing of the torch.”
Tale of the Tape
Photo by Tom Casino/Golden Boy Promotions
This fight could also be appropriately titled “The Battle of the Jabs.” According to Compubox, Paulie Malignaggi threw 120 jabs in his fight with Adrien Broner, while Zab Judah threw 87 jabs his 12-round bout with Lucas Matthysse.
Both fighters are great at controlling the pace of the fight with their jab. The similarities do not stop there.
Both were from the same amateur boxing community in New York. Judah, in fact, even worked the corner for Malignaggi in one of his amateur fights when he was still a young prospect in the sport.
Malignaggi stated, in a recent Ring TV article, “I remember Zab working my corner, and that just goes to show you the level of respect that I had for him. Zab was only a few years older because he was a young champion, but there was this guy who was on the national stage taking some time out of his life to kind of work the corner of the younger fighters. All of us kids looked up to him.”
The similarities between the two will bring out the skill in both fighters. Neither of them will deal with a large reach or height advantage, and so the winner will be determined by who can establish himself as the better boxer.
| Paulie Malignaggi | Zab Judah | |
| Record | 32-5, 7 KOs | 42-8, 29 KOs |
| Age | 33 | 36 |
| Height | 5’8” | 5’7½” |
| Reach | 70” | 72” |
| Weight | 147 | 140 |
| Stance | Orthodox | Southpaw |
| Hometown | Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn, NY |
| Rounds Boxed | 298 | 307 |
Main Storylines
Photo by Tom Casino/Golden Boy Promotions
This fight is important because both fighters are veterans who are still vying for high-level competition. As Welterweights, the prospect of a lucrative fight with Floyd Mayweather will always be in the back of their heads.
Zab Judah has already fought Mayweather, and many believe he gave him the most trouble in Mayweather’s career besides Jose Luis Castillo.
In fact, Judah was one of the only opponents who knocked Mayweather down. It was a legal flash knockdown in which the glove hit the canvas, but was neither seen nor called by the referee.
Paulie Malignaggi has expressed his respect for Mayweather, but a fight with him does not seem realistic. Malignaggi needs to do more in the Welterweight division to fight Mayweather.
Also, Malignaggi is arguably one of the best color commentators today. His work with Showtime Sports might be the perfect outlet for someone who loves boxing and wants to stay relevant in the boxing world. Malignaggi is an excellent boxer, but he is also proving to be an even better commentator.
How he reacts to a win or loss to Judah may throw light on his plans for the future.
Strengths For Each Man
Photo by John Garita/Round By Round Boxing
After joining the Gleason’s Gym as a teenager, Paulie Malignaggi demonstrated early on that he is a very talented boxer. In a documentaryproduced by Dibella Entertainment, Malignaggi shared that he won the Golden Gloves tournament on his first try as a novice amateur fighter (meaning, in his case, that he had fewer than 11 fights as an amateur).
From then on, Malignaggi began a career in which he won boxing tournaments, national championships and two world titles. His biggest help in doing so was his speed and the use of his jab.
Against Judah, Malignaggi’s biggest strength will be his ability to control the fight with his jab and the speed with which he throws it. If he can keep Judah busy, he can keep him away.
Judah’s strengths will be in his footwork, defense, and his experience. Judah is great at moving around and stifling the pressure of fighters such as Lucas Matthysse and, if you can remember far back enough, Mickey Ward.
Judah has also faced the better competition. Judah has been in there with the likes of Mayweather, Ward, and Danny Garcia–not to mention Amir Khan and Miguel Cotto, past opponents he has in common with Malignaggi.
Weaknesses For Each Man
Photo by Tom Casino/Golden Boy Promotions
Paulie Malignaggi’s weakness will be his right hand. Malignaggi was plagued with injuries in right hand for much of his early career.
Although his injuries forced him to rely on and improve his jab, his right hand has prevented him from hurting his opponents and from gaining the respect he needs from them to win fights. It is possible that he would have had better success in his career if he had the power the many injuries took away from him.
Zab Judah is sometimes tentative with his straight left hand. If Malignggi can be quick and busy enough, we might see the kind of tentativeness we saw him exhibit with Mattyhsse. However, it will not be because of Malignaggi’s power, but because of his speed and jab.
Judah must let go of his straight hand very early and must not get gun-shy if Malignaggi opens up in the early round.
Also, Judah is a bit older than Malignaggi. His fading abilities will play a factor in this fight. He looked good in certain parts of his fight with Garcia, but his increasing age will be a risk.
The Winner and Why
Photo by AP
This fight is tough to predict because the styles are so similar. Both are quick, utilize the jab to control a fight, and have a great chin.
However, Zab Judah’s best fights were at the 140 pound weight limit. During his fight with Lucas Matthysse, the commentators made the claim that Judah threw fewer punches at 140.
If he continues this pattern and throws fewer punches in this fight, Paulie Malignaggi will begin to take over. Whose jab is stronger and more frequently thrown will make the difference.
Although Judah has faced the better competition, I think Saturday will be Malignaggi’s night.
He will use his jab, land quick right hands, and control the pace to an eventual split decision. It will be a very close fight.
