uan Diaz-Paulie Malignaggi: The Pre-Fight Report Card

While hesitating to call it a comeback, the return from a first knockout defeat is usually a tricky thing in today’s boxing world. It didn’t used to be as much and isn’t at every level now. A fighter can be stopped in an amateur tournament one month and be right back in a final the next. Knockouts happen. They are part of boxing.

Juan Diaz has a chance to prove it this weekend. Not surprisingly, his team may have picked the perfect foe to prove it against.

Paulie Malignaggi is not a bad fighter. He’s displayed skill and courage over the course of his pro tenure. What he hasn’t displayed might be all anyone needs to know about this one.

Let’s go to the report card.

The Ledgers

Juan Diaz
Age: 25
Titles: None
Previous Titles: WBA Lightweight (2004-07, 6 Defenses); WBA/WBO (2007, 1 Defense); WBA/IBF/WBO (2007-08)
Height: 5’6
Weight: 137.7 lbs.
Average Weight – Last Five Fights: 134.6 lbs.
Hails From: Houston, Texas
Record: 34-2, 17 KO
Record in Title Fights: 8-2, 4 KO, 1 KOBY
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Defeated: 4 (Lakva Sim, Julien Lorcy, Acelino Freitas, Julio Diaz)
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced in Defeat: 2 (Nate Campbell, Juan Manuel Marquez)

Vs.

Paulie Malignaggi
Age: 28
Title: None
Previous Titles: IBF Jr. Welterweight (2007-08, 2 Defenses)
Height: 5’8 ½
Weight: 138.2 lbs.
Average Weight – Last Five Fights: 139.35 lbs.
Hails from: Brooklyn, New York
Record: 26-2, 5 KO
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Defeated: 1 (Lovemore N’Dou)
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced in Defeat: 2 (Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton)

Pre-Fight Grades

Speed: Diaz B+; Malignaggi B+
Power: Diaz B-; Malignaggi C-
Defense: Diaz B; Maliganggi B
Intangibles: Diaz B+; Malignaggi B

In terms of speed, this fight may be about equal. On a single shot, Malignaggi probably gets off quicker but Diaz is still quick on shots number five and six. He throws fusillades of shots and all but two foes have been able to successfully deal with it. For Malignaggi to win, his speed will have to come in his feet. He’ll have to jab and move, forcing Diaz to turn and reset without getting those volleys off. Against Hatton last year, Malignaggi didn’t do that and made Hatton look like a bigger puncher than he had in years, sending Malignaggi reeling about from several hard, flush right hands.

The reason Malignaggi would be well advised to use his legs is the reason he was probably picked for Diaz’s first bout since being stopped by Marquez in February, still the leading candidate for Fight of the Year. Malignaggi scored a good knockdown against N’Dou when he won his lone title but outside that his punching power is somewhere south of the Rosenbloom line. Diaz isn’t a huge banger either; what stoppages he’s scored in recent years have been products of attrition, wearing Freitas and Julio Diaz down with so many shots they elected to sit out. However, those shots do multiply and his body attack is wicked.

Due to his low knockout percentage, one might assume a defensive mastery in Malignaggi. While he can be elusive, against better opposition he has been hittable. Miguel Cotto roughed him up even as Malignaggi showed game in lasting the distance and stealing his share of rounds. N’Dou (the second time in 2008), Ngoudjo, and Hatton all got through his guard with regularity. Diaz can be hard to catch because his pressure makes it hard to target him. However, both Campbell and Marquez showed that with patience his aggression can be used against him and he can be worn down with hard counters.

Beyond the obvious elements, both of these guys are no quit types. Malignaggi wore of mask of despair when Hatton was ended early while he was still on his feet. He was trapped in the bout, unable to find a plan B because he didn’t have the punches to make the turnaround once behind. He still wanted to hear the final bell. Diaz, cut in both his defeats, appeared disturbed by the sight of his own blood which may suggest some give in his confidence under duress. There was no give though in his effort. He kept throwing shots in those fights, marching into defeat with both hands flailing. It might not make for a long career, but it continues to make for one which must be seen and respected.

The Pick

Diaz was on the fast track to Lightweight greatness prior to his losses and, at 25, may still get there. Losing to a Campbell who put it all together for a career best night, and to a Marquez bound for Canastota, is no shame. Epic warrior Bobby Chacon, a stylistically different fighter than Diaz, had his issues with veterans on the way up and yet still managed to carve his own place in history. This fight, Saturday night on HBO, will be about letting Diaz remember what he can be best at against an opponent who doesn’t have the weapons to stop him from doing it. Malignaggi probably makes it the distance but loses a lopsided decision after the final bell.

Report Card Extras

Of course this will not be the only bout on tap on HBO with two others in support. As noted elsewhere this week ( http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=21694 ), the best fight of the weekend is likely the chief support to Diaz-Malignaggi. For the IBF Jr. Lightweight belt, former Featherweight titlist Robert Guerrero (24-1-1, 17 KO) battles beltholder Malcolm Klassen (24-4-2, 15 KO) and it should steal the show.

Also featured will be rising Middleweight Daniel Jacobs (17-0, 15 KO) against the best foe of his young career, Ishe Smith (21-3, 9 KO). What are the picks on these?

Look for an upset in the middle with Klassen by narrow points verdict or a late stoppage on a cut against Guerrero and look for Jacobs to struggle early before closing for a decision win over Smith.

.....source

A full night of boxing on tap for Saturday in Houston!

A packed undercard will prime Texas Fight Fans up for the main event between Juan Diaz and Paul Malignaggi this Saturday night on HBO. Read on for more.

Houston’s finest will be out in force at Toyota Center on the Saturday, August 22 HBO Boxing After Dark undercard, as unbeaten hometown rising stars Hylon Williams and Jermell Charlo will be featured on the hottest night of the boxing summer. Joining Williams and Charlo on this stacked card will be fellow Houstonians Marcus Johnson, Adam Richards and Darlington Agha, as well as Philadelphia’s undefeated rising star Danny Garcia, unbeaten power hitter Adrien Broner, Philadelphia’s Mike Perez and Texas’ Omar Figueroa. In the August 22 HBO BAD main event, former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion and Houston hero Juan ‘Baby Bull’ Diaz takes on former 140-pound world titleholder Paulie ‘Magic Man’ Malignaggi of Brooklyn, New York, while the co-featured bout sees IBF Junior Lightweight World Champion Malcolm Klassen challenged by heavy-handed Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero as he looks for a world title in a second weight class. Opening up the HBO telecast is unbeaten rising middleweight star Daniel ‘The Golden Child’ Jacobs in a stern test against ‘Contender’ alumnus Ishe ‘Sugar Shay’ Smith.

All three bouts, which are presented by Golden Boy Promotions, with Diaz vs. Malignaggi and Jacobs vs. Smith being presented in association with DiBella Entertainment and Klassen vs. Guerrero being presented in association with Branco Sports Productions, will air on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 8:45 pm CT (9:45 pm ET/PT). The evening of boxing is sponsored by Quaker State, Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines. Doors open at 3:30pm CT and the first bout begins at approximately 3:30pm CT.

Tickets, priced at $250, $125, $70, $45 and $25, are on sale now, and may be purchased online at www.ToyotaCenterTix.com, by phone at 1-866-4-HOU-TIX, at the Toyota Center Box Office and select Houston area Randalls locations.

Lightweight sensation Hylon Williams (10-0, 3 KO’s) of Houston has barely lost a round in his professional career thus far, with a shutout win over 41-fight veteran Derrick Moon in April being one of his most impressive wins. Fresh off of a hard fought victory over Khadaphi Proctor in June, Williams will face Los Mochis, Mexico’s Baudel Cardenas (18-17-2, 6 KO’s)in an eight round lightweight bout.

Williams’ Houston stablemate, junior middleweight Jermell Charlo (8-0, 4 KO’s) is already veteran of the fight game despite being only 19 years old. A former amateur star, Charlo has progressed steadily through the pro ranks, most recently showing his power by stopping Federico Flores in eight rounds in June. Charlo will be making his third appearance at the Toyota Center when he takes on Glendale, California’s talented Vardan Gasparyan, who has compiled a stellar 11-1-4, 5 KO’s record in his four year career. They will meet in a six round bout.

Also proudly representing Houston on August 22 will be super middleweight Marcus Johnson (16-0, 13 KO’s), 28-year-old heavyweight prospect Adam Richards (22-2, 15 KO’s) and debuting Sugar Land heavyweight Darlington Agha. Another of Houston’s rising boxing stars, Johnson has been on a tear since turning pro in 2004. Only three of his opponents have heard the closing bell when facing him and all three left the ring disappointed with decision losses. On the 22nd Johnson will face Matt Gockel (12-10, 7 KO’s) of Topeka, Kansas in a six round fight. A four-time National Amateur Champion, Adam Richards has won 20 of his last 21 fights and after his stoppage of Gustavo Enriquez in April, he’s eager to keep moving up the heavyweight ranks in an eight round fight against Harvey Jolly (9-10-1, 4 KO’s) of Adrian, Missouri. Rounding out the Houston contingent will be Agha squaring off against Long Beach, California’s Joseph Rabotte (5-6, 2 KO’s) in a four round bout.

The line-up of impressive fighters participating in the event does not end with local standouts. Rising star Danny Garcia (13-0, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the sport today, will square off against former world title challenger Oscar Leon (28-9, 18 KOs) of Miami, Florida in a six-round junior welterweight bout.

Another rising young standout, Adrien Broner (10-0, 7 KO’s) has made an immediate impression on fight fans with his exciting style and fight-ending power. In May, Broner pounded out an eight round decision win over unbeaten fellow prospect Fernando Quintero and topped that performance with a sixth round knockout of then 15-1 William Kickett in June. What’s next for the Cincinnati cyclone? We’ll find out when he faces Midland, Texas’ Edgar Portillo (5-2, 3 KO’s) in a six round junior lightweight battle.

Decorated amateur star Mike Perez (3-0-1, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia returns to action in a four rounder at Toyota Center. After starting his career with three wins in his first four professional bouts, he’s looking to put on a show for Southwest fight fans. Perez will face Jaime Rodriguez (4-5-3, 2 KO’s) of Reno, Nevada in a four round lightweight battle.

Houston isn’t the only part of Texas represented, as Weslaco’s lightweight knockout artist Omar Figueroa (6-0, 6 KO’s) will face Jeremy Marts (5-7, 3 KO’s) of Ottumwa, Iowa in a four round bout.

....source

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR JUAN DIAZ-PAULIE MALIGNAGGI & MALCOLM KLASSEN-ROBERT GUERRERO

LOS ANGELES, July 10 - Tickets for Houston's upcoming showdown between four of boxing's best at Toyota Center are on sale now. On Saturday, August 22nd, Houston's own and former Undisputed Lightweight World Champion, Juan Diaz will square off against former Junior Welterweight World Champion Paulie Malignaggi in the main event while Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero will challenge for a world title in a second weight class when he takes on IBF Junior Lightweight World Champion Malcolm Klassen in the co-feature.

Tickets, priced at $250, $125, $70, $45 and $25, are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.ToyotaCenterTix.com, by phone at 1-866-4-HOU-TIX and at select Houston area Randalls locations. Tickets will be available at the Toyota Center Box Office beginning Monday, July 13th at 9am CT.

Both bouts, which are presented by Golden Boy Promotions, with Diaz vs. Malignaggi being presented in association with DiBella Entertainment and Guerrero vs. Klassen being presented in association with Branco Sports Productions, will air on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:45 pm ET/PT (8:45 pm CT). The evening of boxing is sponsored by Quaker State, Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines. Doors open at 3:30pm and the first bout begins at approximately 3:45pm CT.

....source