Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
Chris Van Heerden is hopeful that WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi deflects from his bid to secure a rematch with the now retired Ricky Hatton and shows interest in a unification bout with him instead.
The 25 year-old, who declared himself the young buck on the scene with a dominant first defence of the IBO title against Sebastian Lujan last month, is willing to put his belt up against the American’s as the ‘Magic Man’ searches for an October opponent.
Malignaggi, 31, has been vocal in reaching out to former two-weight world champion Hatton as rumours circulate about a ring return for the Briton, although Van Heerden believes that a clash of two world titles is more realistic for the New Yorker.
“Malignaggi is calling out Hatton, but why he does that I have no idea,” Van Heerden told World Boxing News.
“I guess he is trying not to lose his title. Why doesn't he just call me out. I'm rated in the world’s top ten and I have a title so give me a shot.
“I respect each and every boxer, but Malignaggi is just too damn arrogant and not cool.
“I have beaten worthy boxers like Kaizer Mabuza, who stopped Kendall Holt and gave Zab Judah a run like hell and I've beaten Lujan with ease - so how about a Van Heerden v Malignaggi unification at 147?”
WBN Editor
South African wants unification
The 25 year-old, who declared himself the young buck on the scene with a dominant first defence of the IBO title against Sebastian Lujan last month, is willing to put his belt up against the American’s as the ‘Magic Man’ searches for an October opponent.
Malignaggi, 31, has been vocal in reaching out to former two-weight world champion Hatton as rumours circulate about a ring return for the Briton, although Van Heerden believes that a clash of two world titles is more realistic for the New Yorker.
“Malignaggi is calling out Hatton, but why he does that I have no idea,” Van Heerden told World Boxing News.
“I guess he is trying not to lose his title. Why doesn't he just call me out. I'm rated in the world’s top ten and I have a title so give me a shot.
“I respect each and every boxer, but Malignaggi is just too damn arrogant and not cool.
“I have beaten worthy boxers like Kaizer Mabuza, who stopped Kendall Holt and gave Zab Judah a run like hell and I've beaten Lujan with ease - so how about a Van Heerden v Malignaggi unification at 147?”