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Maidana: Paulie has balls! It’s an attractive fight

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
‘Chino’keen to start negotiations with Malignaggi

WBA light-welterweight champion Marcos Maidana has shown an interest in moving up to 147lbs to take on former 140lb belt holder Paulie Malignaggi in a Stateside battle next February.

The Argentinian has been scouting a new opponent for some time with the like of Erik Morales, Paul McCloskey and Robert Guerrero touted as potential foes but without the bouts coming to fruition.

The 28 year-old, who successfully defended his title in September for the first time beating Petr Petrov easily in four rounds, is now keen to see if his promoters Golden Boy can set up a meeting to get the ball rolling.

“I thank god that Paulie Malignaggi has the balls to fight me!” stated the South American.

“I remember Malignaggi against Cotto and Juan Diaz, tough guy!

“Now let’s wait and see if the negotiations. They are always tough, but’s it’s an attractive fight.”

Malignaggi, 30, defeated Orlando Lora last month and when hearing about a possible date in February being open to face Maidana, duly put his name forward to meet the light-welterweight if he is ready to move up the weights.

Both fighters are signed to Oscar De La Hoya’s popular promotional operation and it could be a valid fight if Maidana is willing to add the seven pounds and jeopardise his newly acquired WBA belt.
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