Malignaggi plays “The Name Game”/ Malignaggi’s IBF Junior Welterweight Title on January 5, 2008

VERO BEACH, Florida– International Boxing Federation light welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi took a break from his Vero Beach training camp, where he’s preparing for his first title defense January 5 on Showtime Championship Boxing against No. 1 contender Herman “The Black Panther” Ngoudjo (16-1, 9 KOs) at Bally’s Casino in Atlantic City, to play boxing’s version of “The Name Game.”


The outspoken Brooklyn boxer, rated No. 2 by The Ring, commented on some of the top welterweights and light welterweights in the world:

Paul Malignaggi


Floyd Mayweather: “The best pound-for-pound in boxing today, maybe ever. He dominates and is definitely the smartest boxer.”
Floyd Mayweather


Ricky Hatton: “Workmanlike but a little overrated. He’s not great but is a good fighter who is tough and a worker. He’s overrated in that some believe he’s the best.”
Ricky Hatton


Miguel Cotto: “One of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world today -- very powerful, strong, hungry and determined.”
Miguel Cotto


Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.: “I didn’t see his last fight but he surprised me by beating (Ray) Sanchez, who I know from the amateurs. Chavez came back from being down on two cards to stop Sanchez. Maybe, he has gotten a little better.”

Herman Ngoudjo: “Another workmanlike fighter but not the same as Gavin Rees because he doesn’t throw as many punches. What you see is what you get with him. He’s a former Olympian and I expect him to come into our fight at 100-percent. He’s never been given anything and has come up the hard way. I’m looking forward to fighting him.”


Junior Witter: “Probably the most dangerous, underrated, unappreciated fighter in boxing. I’d love to meet him in the ring but that’s up to the networks. Witter is definitely the best light welterweight in England.”
Demetrious Hopkins: “Good family pedigree and a solid fighter. He’ll lose his first pro fight in 2008 when he meets Paulie Malignaggi.”

Lovemore N’dou: “The biggest clown in boxing today. He’s like Barnum & Bailey, you see the same show. His recent words and actions make him look even more stupid to the media and fans.”


Paul Malignaggi and trainer Buddy McGirt prepare for Mailignaggi's bout with Ndou.


Gavin Rees: “I’ve watched some clips of his fights and he seems like a rugged fighter who throws a lot of punches. Another workmanlike fighter, but he won’t last too long as a title holder.”

Ricardo Torres: “A strong fighter who can’t fight a lick.”

Timothy Bradley: “I know him from the amateurs. He’s a darkhorse junior welterweight right now and he’ll eventually become a contender in this division.”

Jose Luis Castillo: “Past his prime; a legend in his day.”

Vivian Harris: “Another underappreciated fighter who has been mismanaged. It’s a shame that his loss to Witter has hurt his career so much. It shouldn’t have.”

Kendall Holt: “A solid fighter who could become world champion. He’s had a couple of bad breaks. It’s all up to him. He has all of the physical tools but, mentally, he has to overcome negativity and setbacks. If he can overcome that he can be world champion.”

CONTACT: Bob Trieger Full Court Press

Don King and Roy Jones Jr. travel to San Juan, to join Felix "Tito" Trinidad in an open to the public media press conference.

(Photo courtesy of DKP Photographer)


Trinidad became very serious at the end of the media-packed press conference, striking the podium and telling his interpreter to translate what he had to say in English because he wanted to make sure Jones would hear him. “Roy, I am telling you this and I am serious this time,” Trinidad said. “Every time I hit you it’s going to hurt. I think Roy has a bad memory when he says he’s going to win in four rounds. What are you going to do when I knock you out in the second round, Roy?”

Felix “Tito” Trinidad at the New York City Press conference for Trinidad vs. Jones Jr..


Jones responded, “Tito’s got to go in fo. He’s doing a lot of talking now. He’s got a big mouth. That’s a bad sign.”

Roy Jones Jr.: “I love Puerto Rico. It’s a great place. I’ve got to give credit to Miguel Cotto for his performance against Shane Mosley. He came out and out-boxed the boxer. Watching the Cotto-Mosley fight caused me to go home and tighten up all of my bolts and screws because Tito comes from the same place Cotto does so I’ve got to be on the top of my game.

Roy Jones Jr. at the New York City Press conference for Trinidad vs. Jones Jr..


Roy Jones Jr.: “I love to fight. Tito is a great world champion who loves to fight. We are going to both come to fight on January 19 at Madison Square Garden. Fans don’t want to see a boring fight. They want to see somebody’s ass hit the grass.

Roy Jones Jr.: “I’m going to take Tito down in four. He must go in fo.”

Roy Jones Jr.: “Tito’s got to go in fo. He’s doing a lot of talking now. He’s got a big mouth. That’s a bad sign.”

Felix “Tito” Trinidad: “It’s great to be on my island. Roy Jones and I are donating money from our purses to help fight breast cancer and that is a good thing.

Felix “Tito” Trinidad: “Roy Jones is a great eight-time champion of the world. He’s been a great champion and was undefeated for many years. He stepped up to heavyweight and beat John Ruiz. All of this is true but on Jan. 19, Roy Jones, you will have the toughest fight of your life. Every time I come into the ring I come to fight. I come with only one bag into the ring, the bag of hitting you. The bag of getting hit I left at home.

Felix “Tito” Trinidad: “I’m very sure Madison Square Garden will be sold out. You [Roy] will see a Boriqua Tito punching Roy Jones around the ring. I want you to be prepared Roy because every time I hit you, you’re going to feel it. I want my translator to say this in English because I want him to understand what I am about to say. Roy, I’m telling you this and I am serious this time. Every time I hit you it’s going to hurt.

Felix “Tito” Trinidad attend Cotto vs. Mosley at Madison Square Garden.


Felix “Tito” Trinidad: “I think Roy has a bad memory when he says he’s going to win in four rounds. What are you going to do when I knock you out in the second round, Roy?”

Contact: Alan Hopper, Don King Productions