HBO BOXING AFTER DARK TOPS THE WEEKEND
New York, NY– For the sixth consecutive weekend, HBO boxing will be center stage to the action when the network presents an appetizing co feature and intriguing main event on Saturday. On the eve of HBO’s jam-packed all action card, rival network Showtime features a competitive light middleweight scrap of significance. As always, ESPN will kick off the madness hosting an interesting battle. First, let’s take a look at the featured card of the weekend.
BOXER VS. BOXER/PUNCHER MATCH UP
WBA belt holder Amir “King” Khan (22-1, 16 KOs) will face flashy and flamboyant Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi (27-3, 5 KOs) in a scheduled 12 round Jr. welterweight (140 lbs) title contest
at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY on Saturday at 9:45 PM ET on HBO.
KHAN’S GOT POWER, BUT DOES HE HAVE GUTS?
Fresh off a pulverizing first round knockout win over tough customer Dmitrity Salita, Britain’s Amir Khan crosses the pond to defend his title. Prior to his recent triumphs, Khan won his first 18 bouts, whacking out 14. Going into his 19th professional bout against unbeaten contender Breidis Prescott, the buzz was high for Amir to rise to prominence. However, Amir got starched by a right hand from Prescott and lasted just 54 seconds in the bout. Since the embarrassment against Prescott, Amir has won four straight (2 KOs) and managed to pick up the WBA strap. Khan’s recent win streak is highlighted with a victory of Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera.
WHAT PAULIE LACKS IN POWER, HE MAKES UP FOR IN HEART
Possessing a very low knockout percentage of 17 percent, Paulie Malignaggi’s lack of a “lights out type of shot” has lead the public to question his toughness. However, during a high contact 12 round war against Miguel Cotto, Paulie was able to prove to the boxing world that he is no “push over” and showed that he is tougher then his record suggests. By absorbing violent shots without quitting against punch bully Cotto, Malignaggi displayed an uncanny ability of perseverance, a quality not often instilled in most modern day prizefighters. Despite losing to Cotto (L UD 12), Malignaggi gained more fans in defeat then he had in previous victories. Since his first loss against Cotto, Paulie is 6-2 over his last eight. In his most recent outing, Malignaggi earned his biggest win to date, a one sided 12 round decision over Juan Diaz.
POTENTIAL FIREWORKS IN OPENER
In a “loser quits boxing” encounter of Jr. welterweights, seasoned, but aged tactician Nate Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KOs) throws hands with questionable contender Victor Ortiz (26-2-1, 21 KOs) over 12 proposed rounds.
HEADED FOR THE BIG TIME, ORTIZ QUIT DURING TEST!
In a “life or death” battle against tough champion Marcos Maidana, Ortiz floored Maidana in the first stanza. Maidana recovered, beat the count and rose to the occasion as an over confident Ortiz moved in for the kill. A clear-headed Maidana railed sending Ortiz flat on his back to the canvas. Ortiz quickly got up and a memorable war ensued. After six back and forth action filled rounds, Maidana hit the canvas once more, got up, and so did Ortiz. After rising to his feet, a weary Ortiz got drilled by a few more shots, took a knee on his own admission, and quit. Since committing boxing’s biggest sin, Ortiz picked up a win against club fighter Hector Alatorre (W TKO 10) and now finds himself back at the big show on HBO.
OLD WARRIOR, SAME OL’ STORY?
Beginning his storied career with an impressive 23 victories with 21 blistering knockouts, former champ Nate Campbell entered the ring in his 24th tilt against Joel Casamayor. In a listless performance, Campbell suffered a lopsided points setback at the hands of rugged scrapper Casamayor. In wake of defeat, Nate’s campaign at 140-pound supremacy has seen many ups and downs. Since the loss to Casamayor, Nate has gone 9-5-1, 4 KOs, 1 no contest. During that span, Campbell’s most notable win was handing young rising star Juan Diaz his first loss (W SD 12).
ESPN & SHOWTIME DEAL OUT A PAIR OF CARDS ON FRIDAY
SHOBOX LOOKS TO MAKE AN UNKNOWN CHAMP KNOWN
Combining for a whopping 46 knockouts in 71 total outing, WBO light middleweight (154) titleholder Sergiy Dzinziruk (36-0, 22 KOs) and Daniel Dawson (34-1, 24 KOs) meet for 12 rounds or less at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California, Friday at 11 PM ET on Showtime.
CROSSROADS BATTLE ON ESPN
Having fought the best in their respective weight classes, battled tested, but been bested Jr. welterweight pugs Julio Diaz (36-6, 26 KOs) and Herman Ngoudjo (18-3, 10 KOs) throw hands over 10 scheduled rounds at Buffalo Bill’s Star Arena in Primm, Nevada, Friday at 10 PM ET on ESPN 2.
John Signorella