Malignaggi dethrones Ndou!

At the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT, Brooklyn native Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi won the IBF Jr Welterweight title with a dominating unanimous decision win over Lovemore Ndou. Scores: 120-106 (twice), 118-108.

Malignaggi used his left jab and lateral movement to control the action for almost the entire twelve rounds. In the eighth round, the light hitting Malignaggi managed to score a knockdown with a right hand that caught Ndou coming in. The performance was an outstanding one for Malignaggi, who picked up his first world title and moved on to 23-1, with 5 knockouts. Malignaggi displayed the sweet science in exciting fashion, demonstrating to the fans that one does not have to run circles around the ring like it's a track to outbox his opponent. Brilliant display of boxing from The Magic Man.

Malignaggi stated afterwards that he wants Ricky Hatton. He believes, by vacating the IBF title rather than having to face Ndou, Hatton took on an easier opponent in Jose Luis Castillo whom he is scheduled to face in Las Vegas next Saturday night. Malignaggi explained to Larry Merchant that he wants to get Cotto again down the road, and that anybody who faces Cotto is going to get beaten up. However, it's just a question of winning more rounds at the end of the day.

On the under card, Andre Dirrell ran and potshotted his way to a unanimous decision over Curtis Stevens. Boxing is perceived as a sweet science in which one hits and doesn't get hit. What Dirrell seemed to be doing was not getting hit for over two minutes and thirty seconds of every round and hitting a little bit in the spare time that he had for the rest of the round each round. He used the entire ring to evade Stevens.

The fans booed during the fight as well as the decision, as Dirrell showed very little desire to engage in exchanges or make any contact whatsoever. Scores: 97-93, 97-93, 98-92 for Dirrell.