Diaz-Malignaggi II backed by HBO

by Scott Christ on Sep 3, 2009 3:36 AM EDT in Boxing News Analysis

Paulie Malignaggi and Juan Diaz might want bigger opponents than one another, but there just might not be much out there. HBO is willing to back a rematch of the controversial August 22 bout.

Rick Reeno reports that a potential rematch between Juan Diaz and Paulie Malignaggi could go down if bigger fights aren't available for either man, as HBO is "very interested" in the idea.

Diaz, as you're no doubt aware, won a spirited but controversial decision over Malignaggi on August 22 in Houston. The silver lining for everyone involved is that without specific numbers, HBO was pleasantly surprised by the TV rating for the fight, which surprises me as well. There was very little talk about the matchup before it took place, though a ton came about after. If this fight did good TV ratings, then people got emotional at the end one way or the other, and as Eric Bischoff said, controversy creates cash. Don't think that everyone will tune out of boxing because of a controversial score; a lot of people will want to see Paulie "make things right" should they rematch. Plus, it was a surprisingly good fight, too.

The only other talk for these guys past a rematch has been Diaz wanting to fight Ricky Hatton, which will not happen until 2010 if ever, and Malignaggi potentially fighting fellow New Yorker Zab Judah, but Judah is pulling out of fights left and right so you might as well forget about that.

It might be that Diaz-Malignaggi II simply makes the most sense for both of the fighters, especially if HBO is flat-out pushing for it to happen.

Rick Reeno has the same theoretical roadblocks I do, the big one being location. Diaz's manager Willie Savannah already said they won't go to New York to fight Malignaggi, which I wouldn't expect them to, honestly. And there is no way in hell that Malignaggi will go back to Texas, so what are you looking at then? Atlantic City sounds good, but Diaz's people might have the same reservations with AC that they do with New York. There's really nowhere else they're going to draw, even considering the talk their fight generated and the surprising TV ratings. Vegas would be a really tough sell for this fight. Anywhere but Texas, NYC or AC probably requires a strong B-side or even this fight being the B-side.

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yup might as well do it again. its not like juan impressed anyone in the last fight(s). he also needs to wipe the egg off his face and man tits before he gets any better offers.

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by sonofapsycho on Sep 3, 2009 4:04 AM EDT reply actions

Basically needs to prove that he is better than just a guy who comes forward but doesn’t do all that much, cough Ricky Hatton cough. This is a good fight for both. Paulie to prove he did get robbed, Diaz to prove he doesn’t need an edge.

by Waldo Rastel on Sep 3, 2009 4:11 AM EDT reply actions

I think they could do this one at Boardwalk Hall. Paulie can probably draw a crowd there, although there might be as many fans who come hoping to see Paulie get beat up as there are fans rooting for him. I know it sounds strange, but there are a lot of Jersey guys who hate New Yorkers, and specifically hate New Yorkers with weird haircuts who wear purple leggings.

"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb

by jrok on Sep 3, 2009 10:18 AM EDT reply actions

I doubt Diaz goes to Boardwalk Hall either

While Paulie hasn’t built up a base there, there are tons of Italians near there, and it’s still a quick shoot from NYC. That probably eliminates Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods also.

Chicago might be an interesting option if they can get a decent local promoter, since the area has big Mexican-American and Italian-American fanbases.

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by Brickhaus on Sep 3, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Diaz will take it again. This time with a better gameplan. What’s Malignaggi gonna do different? Actually fight and not try to go to decision?

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Sep 3, 2009 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

That’s kind of my feeling, too. Diaz will find a way to land more consistently and clearly beat Paulie the second time around, but it’s a fight people are interested in.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by Scott Christ on Sep 3, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions