Malignaggi ready to face Pacquiao next year

CHICAGO, Illinois – If unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. is backing out of fighting Manny Pacquiao, Paul "Magic Man" Malignaggi is willing to take up his place and go for 12 rounds with the Filipino boxing icon. Malignaggi, 29, is one of those being considered by Top Rank big boss Bob Arum to face Pacquiao on March 13 after the planned mega-fight between the reigning and former, Mayweather Jr., holders of the mythical pound-for-pound title was called off. Mayweather’s camp wants Pacquiao to undergo a blood test two days before the fight, which the seven world division champion refused to do citing that it would have an effect on his performance inside the ring. The blood test can tell if athletes have banned substances in their bodies that enhance their ability to fight. Malignaggi (27-3, 5 KO’s) said he is honored to be one of the candidates being considered to fight Pacquiao (50-3, 38 KO’s). Also being considered is the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight king and undefeated Yuri Foreman of Israel. Although facing Pacquiao is a big challenge for him, Malignaggi said he would be able to come up with a strategy against the General Santos City native. "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." Malignaggi said Pacquiao’s refusal to submit to a blood test "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 10 times a day before the fight if I am going to face Manny or Mayweather," Malignaggi said. The 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." – Joseph G. Lariosa, GMANews.TV