Paulie Malignaggi comfortable with retirement if money isn't there

Former junior welterweight and welterweight titlist Paulie Malignaggi has never been afraid to say whatever is on his mind, and the 32-year-old fighter says that if there isn't enough money available to get him back into the ring, he's content to leave his in-ring days behind and focus on his job as a commentator with Showtime.

Malignaggi (32-5, 7 KO) has been mentioned for a fight on December 7 against Zab Judah, who recently signed with Golden Boy Promotions, who also promote Malignaggi.

"Enough money can get me off my ass and training again. But right now I haven't been offered enough money to get off my ass and start training again. So we'll see. I have no problem not fighting again, I really don't. I would miss it. A piece of me would definitely want to feel that rush again but I'm not going to bend over for anybody. ... I'm not being unrealistic. I just want to get paid what all the Haymon fighters get paid; even if they lose they still get paid. I know what everybody makes, I work for Showtime baby! So you know what, I want to get paid like that. I lost one decision in three years, you're going to pay me like that, I'll fight."

Paulie last fought on June 22, when he dropped his WBA welterweight title to Adrien Broner in a fight that was far closer than most expected going in, with Broner winning a split decision in a fight that opened up more questions than it did provide answers on AB's side.

Malignaggi wanted a rematch, but isn't going to get one. The fight with Judah is one that has been talked about a lot over the years, a pair of Brooklyn fighters with New York followings. With where they're both at in their careers, the fight makes perfect sense right now, and the trash talk could be killer. Or else they'd just give each other a lot of respect. But Paulie's not known for lying just to get attention, really, and if he says he's happy to step aside, then I think we have to believe him.