Boxing
Paulie Malignaggi eyes bare-knuckle world title after brutal return to the ring
Parker-Wardley exclusively on DAZN PPV - Saturday
Former two-division boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi is targeting a world title in bare-knuckle boxing after defeating Tyler Goodjohn on his BKB debut.
The 44-year-old edged past his British opponent at Planet Ice Leeds on Saturday night, coming out on top thanks to a split decision. Post-fight, Malignaggi displayed his battle wounds on social media as he required stitches for his hands and face.
Previously a title holder at super lightweight and welterweight as a boxer, Malignaggi now hopes to become a world champion with BKB. In fact, he hopes to match his achievements as a boxer in his new sport, with ambitions of winning a belt at two different weights.
Inside the ‘triagon’ after his fight with Goodjohn, Malignaggi stated: “I’m here for a good time, not a long time. I’d like to get a title shot after this with BKB. Nothing satisfies me more than accomplishment. It is bigger than money. I made weight a lot easier than I anticipated. With a bit more push I could box at 147. I’d like to get the belt at 154, then become champion at 147.”
Malignaggi had previously competed in BKB rival organisation BKFC back in June 2019, losing to UFC fighter Artem Lobov. His last professional boxing contest took place in 2017, when he lost to Britain's Sam Eggington.
Plenty of big names turned out to watch Malignaggi in action, including fellow former world champions Natasha Jonas, Josh Warrington and Carl Froch.
Aside from struggling to see out of his right eye, Malignaggi also suffered two broken ribs during the fight. However, his durability won out as he defeated Goodjohn, who similarly looked worse for wear.
“I had to tough it out,” continued Malignaggi.
“Tyler was taking no prisoners.. I started out good, but he started coming on very very strong. After that eye poke, I’m still blind in this [right] eye. Maybe that’s why I got cut. I finished the fight with one eye. I could just see shadows.”
Watch the biggest fights and best fighters with a DAZN subscription
A DAZN subscription provides access to over 185 fights a year across a range of combat sports from the world's best promoters.
