By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2009 Journal Group Link International)

Photo shows Paul “The Magic” Malignaggi (right) with sports writer, Joseph G. Lariosa, who was probably the only Filipino-American reporter who covered Malignaggi’s recent fight where he beat Juan Diaz by a unanimous decision. (JGLiPhoto)

“I Am Ready for Manny Pacquiao,” Says Paul Malignaggi

C HICAGO, Illinois (JGLi) – Paul “The Magic”  Malignaggi said on the night before Christmas that he is willing to submit “ten times” to a blood test on the eve of the fight if it will be his chance to fight Filipino boxing great Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

In a phone interview with this reporter, Malignaggi (27-3, 5 KOs) felt excited and honored to be mentioned alongside candidates being considered to fight Mr. Pacquiao (50-3, 38 KOs) after Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum called off the fight between Pacquiao and undefeated Floyd Mayweather, Jr. on March 13 when Team Pacquiao refused to submit to a blood test to as close as a day before the fight.

The blood test can tell if boxers have banned substances in their bodies that enhance their ability to fight.

He said he was busy preparing for the Christmas celebration when he was reached by phone in his home in New York.

The other names thrown around by Mr. Arum who could face Pacquiao were Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez and unbeaten Israel Yuri Foreman, the World Boxing Association super welterweight champion.

But because Marquez is going to face Ricky Hatton this year, the choice will be narrowed down to Malignaggi and Foreman.

Malignaggi, 29, said facing Pacquiao will be a big challenge but he is always optimistic when facing anybody.

The one-time Junior Welterweight World champion said he will be able to come up with strategy to beat Pacquiao or anybody, including Mayweather.

“I know Manny is a great fighter but I can always find a way to beat him,” the Italian American said. “You saw me how I beat Juan Diaz.”

Without saying that this is going to be the big break that any fighter would not want to miss, Malignaggi said when Manny refused to fight Mayweather because Manny does not want to submit to a blood test a day before the fight “that always raises some questions.

“But I won’t mind if Manny refuses to submit to a blood test the day before the fight. If Manny wants to submit to a blood test a month before the fight, it’s not a problem with me.

“I am even willing to submit to blood test ten times a day before the fight if I am going to face Manny or Mayweather,” Malignaggi explained.

T he Brooklyn, New York, native said it does not matter to him if the agreed weight is junior welterweight or welterweight.

Shortly after beating Juan Diaz to a unanimous decision, Malignaggi called out two opponents – Juan Manuel Marquez and Ricky Hatton – as his next possible opponents.

But Eric Gomez, vice president of Golden Boy Promotions, disappointed him when Gomez politely told him at the post-fight press conference that there was a verbal agreement being ironed out for the Marquez-Hatton fight.

Malignaggi, who was showboating during most of the 12-rounder, got even in his rematch with Diaz after losing to Diaz in a controversial decision during a fight held at Diaz’s hometown of Houston, Texas, last August.

Malignaggi said his victory merely validated the claim of his camp that he won the first fight. “Why else would his camp change his aggressive style to non-aggressive this time? I know I was leading in the early rounds.” (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)

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