Paulie Malignaggi isn’t known to hold back with his views about some of boxing’s biggest stars.
The Italian-American had a sixteen-year pro campaign in which he won belts in both super-lightweight and welterweight. He has since taken up punditry and analysis.
Malignaggi has long since claimed that undisputed super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez is ‘ducking’ people. This topic has been particularly hot recently as former titlist David Benavidez has made no secret of his desire to face Canelo, though the Mexican superstar has so far rebuffed it. His last fight in May was a straightforward defence of his titles against fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia.
Malignaggi has now doubled down on the ‘ducking’ claim during some recent post-fight coverage on ProBox TV.
“This is the problem with a champion ducking guys outright the way ‘Canelo’ is ducking guys. What you have is other contenders are sacred to fight each other ’cause they’re all waiting for a shot at the champion who is ducking all of them.”
He then outlined what he thinks should happen.
“Benavidez will take on Canelo and beat him. Then [Cuban WBA regular super middleweight champion David] Morrell gets forced onto Benavidez cause hey, that’s the way boxing is supposed to work, but it doesn’t.”
Benavidez is fresh off becoming the WBC interim light heavyweight champion having beaten Oleksandr Gvozdyk in his first fight up at the weight. He has since stated he wants to move back down to 168lbs to take on ‘Canelo’ and dominate two divisions.
It has now been reported that Canelo has struck a deal with IBF mandatory challenger William Scull, although it’s unclear whether or not it is to step aside for a fight or face him next.
