Paulie Malignaggi's Latest Comments Worry Fans – ‘Why Is He Doing This?'

Paulie Malignaggi wants a world title shot after he secured a split-decision victory over Tyler Goodjohn in a bare-knuckle boxing match, but fans have expressed mass concern.

The win came at a cost, as the 44-year-old was rushed to Leeds General Hospital after he suffered vision problems, broken ribs, swollen hands and lacerations to his face. The victory elevates Malignaggi’s bare-knuckle record to 1-1 after he lost his first bout against Arterm Lobov in 2019. Now, Malignaggi wants to secure another title to add to his boxing belts (IBF junior welterweight title and the WBA welterweight title). 

"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. I had to tough it out. 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," Malignaggi said 

The Risks

Continuing to fight with a compromised eye is a massive gamble that could lead to permanent blindness. Furthermore, at 44 years old, Paulie’ ability to heal from broken ribs and significant soft tissue damage is diminished compared to a younger athlete. Each subsequent fight will exponentially increase the risk of cumulative, life-altering damage.

Paulie’s drive to pursue a title because is understandable for a competitor, but it suggests he may be prioritizing legacy over his long-term health. Mike Tyson’s recent comeback against Jake Paul last year raised mass concerns, with Tyson admitting after the fight that he had blacked out.

Malignaggi is also an accomplished boxer, holding the IBF junior welterweight and WBA welterweight titles. A bare-knuckle boxing title, while a competitive achievement, does not hold the same prestige or offer the same level of long-term financial security as a traditional boxing title. Furthermore, BKB is a significantly different and more damaging sport than boxing, where fighters rely heavily on their speed, defense, and ability to mitigate damage via gloves. His 1-1 bare-knuckle record is thin, and jumping straight to a title shot after a grueling, injury-riddled win — and with a history of vision problems — is a huge risk.

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