Eggington-Malignaggi added to Haye-Bellew card

The WBC’s international welterweight titlist Sam Eggington (19-3, 11 KOs) has just been scheduled to defend his strap against veteran Paulie Malignaggi (36-7, 7 KOs) on March 4th. The fight will serve as an undercard event to the David Haye-Tony Bellew fight taking place at London’s O2 Arena. Speaking on the upcoming fight, the 23-year-old Eggington said:

“Paulie’s been at World-level for so long that he's got all the tricks and probably got more to pull out on the night, so I know it's going to be a big test and it's one that I'm going to rise to. This could have been a fight without a title, Paulie is the man I want to beat - that name on the record will make people stand up and take notice and will make a splash in the US too. It's a fantastic box office bill and I've never been on a bill of this scale so it's really exciting for me.”

Malignaggi, 36, a former two-weight world champion, still carries some name value but has been past his prime for years now. After losing two consecutive fights fights in brutal fashion, against Shawn Porter in 2014 and then Danny Garcia in 2015, Malignaggi made a conscious decision to retreat from world-level competition and focus on the local European scene for a bit.

That proved well enough for Malignaggi as he was able to win a vacant European title before he brought his act back Stateside where he most recently beat Gabriel Bracero last summer at the Barclays Center.

“I am excited as ever to once again return to the UK and fight in front of the most passionate fans in the world,” said Malignaggi. “I know Eggington is young and hungry but my experience and craftiness will be too much for him to overcome.”

Meanwhile, Eggington’s biggest fight to date was when he stopped Frankie Gavin in 8 rounds to win the vacant WBC international title this past October. Malignaggi may not have much left in the tank, nor pack much of a wallop, but he’ll certainly be the most well-schooled fighter Eggington has ever faced.