Malignaggi on Hatton: I’ll give Ricky a title shot!

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

‘Magic Man’ wants rematch with ‘Hitman’

WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi has declared to WBN that he is willing to fight retired British fighter Ricky Hatton for a second time in the wake of rumours of a possible return to the ring for the Mancunian.

The New Yorker himself became a two-weight world champion in April, matching Hatton’s achievements and would like the opportunity to avenge his eleventh round stoppage loss at the MGM Grand in 2008.

“I want the rematch!” Malignaggi told World Boxing News.

“The fight would be great for UK fans and worldwide.”

The 31 year-old has been consistently linked with a clash with fellow Brooklynite Dmitriy Salita in October at the newly-built Barclays Center in New York in his first world title defence since capturing the WBA belt.

Obviously a fight with Hatton, 33, would far outweigh a bout with the man Amir Khan stopped in one round and with the ‘Hitman’ so far silent on the rumours, it remains to be seen if a possible comeback was ever on the cards.

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