With Garcia vs Malignaggi now over, it’s hard to think of how relevant this lackluster – and unnecessary – fight really is for boxing.
Neither Danny Garcia or Paulie Malignaggi looked particularly impressive in this non-title Welterweight clash, but it at least ended early.
After chasing his man for 8 rounds, Garcia finally found two right-hands that encouraged the referee to call an end to the fight.
The stoppage looked a little premature, but we soon realized it wasn’t; Malignaggi had no complaints, and just seemed glad it was all over. Leading up to the 9th, Malignaggi was never seriously wobbled or hurt, but was becoming increasingly distressed under Garcia’s constant pressure.
Malignaggi’s lone jab was never going to deter a boxer-puncher like Garcia for a full 12 rounds, and eventually Garcia closed the show. Not that you’d describe the end as a real ‘show-closer’ exactly.
It is what it is. Garcia will go onto bigger fights, and hopefully Malignaggi will continue to grace our screens – but only as a ringside analyst. Sorry, Paulie.
So what’s next for Garcia following this rather meaningless and forgettable 147 pound match-up? Keith Thurman? Shawn Porter? Following this performance, both men will be fancying their chances.
Following the win, Garcia plumps his unbeaten record to 31-0, 18 knockouts, while ring veteran Paulie Malignaggi falls to 33-7, 7 knockouts. Don’t miss the bizarre ending of Jacobs vs Mora.
Garcia vs Malignaggi Round by Round
Round 1: Malignaggi jab. Stiff jab from Garcia. Right-hand. Both men working each other out at this stage. Malignaggi bouncing around the ring, firing the jab. Anyone’s round. Garcia, 10-9
Round 2: Malignaggi opens up but soon settles down. Garcia to the body. Malignaggi doing a good job of avoiding a few right-hands. Garcia patient, but looking to land a game-changer. Garcia edges the round. Garcia, 10-9 (20-18)
Round 3: Garcia to the body with the right. Garcia opens up, takes a glancing right-hook. Malignaggi right eye cut. Garcia’s power becoming a factor, making Malignaggi uncomfortable. Garcia, 10-9 (30-27)
Round 4: Garcia starting to apply more and more pressure. Lands a right-hand. Malignaggi on his bike, fighting off the back foot. What can he do to deter Garcia? Garcia catches Malignaggi will telling shots in the closing seconds – Malignaggi puts on a ‘show’ for the crowd. Garcia, 10-9 (40-36)
Round 5: Garcia finding it difficult to nail Malignaggi clean. Garcia to the body, following Malignaggi. Garcia opening up more – body, head. Not a classic yet, folks. Garcia, 10-9 (50-45)
Round 6: Malignaggi cut under right eye now. Garcia to the body. Malignaggi jab – his only effective weapon in this fight. Garcia still unable to nail his foe with anything solid. Garcia, 10-9 (60-54)
Round 7: Garcia winning this fight, but hasn’t impressed so far. Neither man impressing, in fairness. Malignaggi pumping out the jab, Garcia trying to land that big right-hand. Malignaggi jab, right-hand. Malignaggi, 10-9 (69-64)
Round 8: Malignaggi way behind, but still lively, in there to win. Garcia lands a glancing left-hook. Two hard jabs from Garcia, then goes to the body. Combination from Garcia, applying pressure well. Left-hook from Garcia, and Malignaggi fires back an uppercut. Garcia jab. Garcia, 10-9 (79-73)
Round 9: Malignaggi still bouncing, but looking disheartened. Garcia is sensing his man is in trouble. Malignaggi rocked by Garcia right, stumbled back across the ring, and referee stops the fight. Was it premature? Given Malignaggi had no complaints, we’d say no. Malignaggi was in an un-winnable fight and is just glad it’s over.
Result: Garcia wins via 9th round TKO
Give us your take on Garcia vs Malignaggi in the comments, and the rest of the PBC on ESPN card’s match-ups.
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