Paulie Malignaggi does not mince his words when it comes to the state of boxing and its competitors.
The former world champion turned outspoken analyst hung up the gloves on a 16 year career back in 2017 having been a super-lightweight world champion.
After facing the likes of Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Adrien Broner and Danny Garcia, the Italian-American knows a thing or two about taking on challenges.
That is something that Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez also prides himself on, and he notably challenged Floyd Mayweather when he was still developing as a fighter.
The current take on the formerly undisputed super-middleweight champion is a little less rosy, though. He has announced his next challenger will be Puerto Rico’s Edgar Berlanga and not, as fans, fighters and pundits wanted to see, David Benavidez.
Benavidez is a former two-time champion in the 168 ranks and has fought his way through a number of contenders to get a mandatory position for Canelo. It has not been forced by the WBC, and Benavidez has grown tired of waiting.
Speaking on Pro Box TV, Malignaggi made his feelings on the move crystal clear.
“Basically, this is the most outright duck. The biggest, most blatant duck in the history of boxing. You will not find a more blatant duck of a top contender. If you search with your microscope through the history of boxing you will never find a more outright duck than what Canelo has done with David Benavidez.”
Done with chasing the fight for now, Benavidez has made the decision to continue his campaign up at light-heavyweight and is now first in line for a shot at the winner of the undisputed fight between Artur Beterbiev and the last man to beat Canelo, Dmitry Bivol.
Whether or not he settles at the weight entirely and the fight is gone for good remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt where Malignaggi lays the blame if that’s the case. Canelo has fought at 175 twice but fans will be less than convinced he will make the move back up for Benavidez.
