Boxing Could Use More Paul Malignaggi's

Speculation persists that former IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi will retire from boxing after he was pounded by WBA world light welterweight champion Amir “King” Khan, via 11^th round TKO, last Saturday night at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Khan (23-1, 17 KOs), making his United States debut, thoroughly dominated Malignaggi (27-4, 5 KOs) before referee Steve Smoger mercifully halted the bludgeoning.

“I ran into a clone of myself when I was younger. But he was faster and stronger,” said Malignaggi, 29, whose only three previous losses came at the respected hands of Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs), Ricky Hatton (45-2, 32 KOs) and Juan Diaz (35-3, 17 KOs). “He’s bigger and stronger. But I gave it all I had.”

A few days after he was decisively defeated, Malignaggi wrote on his Twitter account that he would not fight again in the immediate future.

Malignaggi’s promoter, Tufts University and Harvard Law School graduate Lou DiBella, stated that “The Magic Man” will not allow himself to become a fighter designed to help younger opponents ascend through the ranks.

Malignaggi, an Italian-American from Brooklyn, is a flamboyant, polarizing prizefighter. It is understandable that many fans consider him to be a scorching hemorrhoid.

Nevertheless, Malignaggi is a defensive wizard in the ring. He's also is a legitimate pugilist, who possesses exceptional hand-speed and quick reflexes.

Malignaggi absorbed tremendously violent punishment and abuse in his losses, particularly to Khan, Hatton, and Cotto.

Still, “The Magic Man” always walked to the ring confident, and prepared to battle.

Malignaggi may not be an elite, or popular, pugilist.

However, boxing would be better off if it had more Paul Malignaggis competing in it.