Adrien Broner vs Paulie Malignaggi Preview

By Peter Wells (twitter @boxingbrains):

Later tonight Paulie Malignaggi 32-4(7) and Adrien Broner 26-0(22) will finally take their differences into the ring, and sort matters out the way boxing intended. Whether you want to admit it or not, you are looking forward to this fight and whatever you say about the press conference trash talk, Broner and Malignaggi have sold this bout, and they've sold it well.

This brings me on to a point that I'd like to address. The media and some boxing fans alike, have brandished the trash talk from both fighters as "disgraceful", "unsportsmanlike" and so on. The way it has been lamented makes it seem as though grown men cursing at one another and dishing out insults is something we never see. Broner and Malignaggi don't like each other, and this is not the first time in boxing that pre-fight talk has become personal.

As for the role models debate, Mike Tyson's past lifestyle hasn't affected him being the reason for thousands of kids taking up boxing. The amount of current fighters who say that Tyson is there role model is incredible considering how a boxer can’t even stick their middle finger up without being labelled a "bad role model". No one has been forced to watch this, people choose to watch the press conferences, so if you have a phobia of  bad language and insults then firstly, boxing really isn't the sport for you, and secondly, don't watch them!

So now that I have that out of my system, I can focus on the fight itself. The talk on its own isn't the only variable that has fans intrigued by this match-up. The fact that Adrien Broner is moving up two weight divisions - jumping from Lightweight to Welterweight - gives this bout another selling point. Broner has proved himself a world class operator, but stepping up 12lbs to fight a naturally stronger fighter than he's been fighting at Super Featherweight and Lightweight ensures that Broner's talent is going to be tested.

Although the betting underdog, Paulie Malignaggi is no stranger to the term. That is because Paulie has been fighting at a high level for some time now. His first title shot, 7 years ago was against the then undefeated Miguel Cotto, whom Paulie went the full 12 rounds with, albeit he lost a unanimous decision.

The only fighters who have managed to halt the Brooklyn man were both British. Ricky Hatton was the first, and Paulie's most recent defeat was against Amir Khan who won in 11 rounds.

The "Magic Man" Malignaggi won the WBA Welterweight title, which he defends tonight, 14 months ago when he travelled to the Ukraine and stopped Vyacheslav Senchenko in 9 rounds. Senchenko unbeaten coming in was on the receiving end of one of Paulie's best performances, a display that gives hope to Paulie's fans.

In his next contest, the reign as WBA champion was nearly ended very quickly. Last October Pablo Cesar Cano rallied in the second half of the contest to floor and nearly stop Malignaggi in the 11th round. Paulie survived and won a split decision. The verdict was disputed but what seemed most controversial was the scorecard of 118-109 in favour of Cano. For the record I scored the contest 114-113 Malignaggi. What made the close fight worse was the fact that in Cano's next fight he was beaten on points by Shane Mosley, laying seeds of doubt over whether or not Paulie is truly going to win one of the "big ones".

Adrien Broner himself was handed a close and controversial victory, when back at Super Featherweight he struggled with Daniel Ponce De Leon over 10 rounds in a tougher than expected contest. Since then Broner has left no room for questions or complaints as all 6 opponents have failed to reach the final bell. Back in November last year came his most impressive victory when he dominated the number 1 Lightweight in the world, Antonio DeMarco before stopping him in the 8th round.

Even though the DeMarco win was impressive, the Mexican never had the power to hurt Broner. All credit still goes to the American for making the win look so easy and straight forward, when he was expected to be tested.

While Paulie doesn't have the power to hurt Broner, he does have the skills and defence to cause him far more problems, than any of “The Problem’s” previous opposition.

To win, Paulie must attack the body of Broner on a regular basis and he must also be the counter-puncher in the fight. If Malignaggi becomes the leader, then Adrien's ‘Mayweather’ like defence will make things all too simple for Broner to make him miss, then make him pay.

The pick is for Broner to struggle to get into any rhythm early, while Paulie remains cautious, peppering Broner with fast jabs. Broner must be careful not to allow Paulie to create too much of a gap. If the Brooklynite grabs an early lead he will start moving more, not allowing Broner to set his feet and throw power shots. Although this will be what Paulie will try to enforce, it is more likely that Broner, although not the quickest on his feet, will be able to cut off Paulie and wear him down as the fight drags on. By the 8^th/9^th round Broner will be in command, but Paulie’s chin and heart should help him to survive the final third of the fight only to lose clearly on points.