By Josh Clare -BkN UK
Anyone who’s been near a boxing ring in the last twenty years knows who Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi is. Multi-division world champ, slick mover, sharp tongue — always up for a row, always up for winding people up.
He’s back — but not in gloves. Paulie’s inked a three-fight deal with BKB™ and he’s stepping into the Trigon for BKB 45 on September 6th in Bristol. This time it’s bare knuckle — no pillows, no protection, no soft landings.
NO EASY ROUTE — HE WANTS TO DO IT THE HARD WAY
Fair play to him — he’s not asking for favours. He wants to prove he can hang in the world’s hardest code. He’s not coming in demanding an instant title shot — he’s said he wants to graft for it, get the fans on side the real way: by bleeding for it.
WHY BKB? STRAIGHT FROM PAULIE HIMSELF
Paulie spoke on talkSPORT and made it clear why he’s picked BKB over anything else — he said he loves what the promotion’s built, loves the way it’s run, and believes the show gives fighters the stage they deserve. And he’s not worried about going five or six rounds at his age either — he reckons he can handle that no problem, even now. He said it himself — “I’ve been through twelve-round wars, five or six bare-knuckle rounds don’t scare me one bit.”
EVERYONE WANTS A PIECE OF THE MAGIC
Since the comeback news broke, the callouts haven’t stopped. Every hungry lad in the division wants the chance to test the legend. Names flying around? Reffell, Goodjohn, Goodridge, McHugh — all possible names to stand across from him first. Tough lads, all dangerous in bare knuckle, all have a chance at smashing the Magic Man’s comeback up for good.
BUT WHAT ABOUT WHEN HE GETS TO THE KING — LIAM “ROCKY” REES?
Make no mistake — all roads lead to the Police Gazette belt. Right now, that strap sits firm on the shoulder of Liam “Rocky” Rees — the undefeated champ at super welterweight who’s made a habit of sending lads home battered.
If Paulie gets through the queue, the real test is Rocky — young, unbeaten, no fear of a big name. That’s the mountain at the top of the hill — and it’ll take all the magic left in Paulie’s hands to climb it.
AND DON’T FORGET LT “SMASH” NELSON
One more to watch — LT “Smash” Nelson has also thrown his name in the mix. He’s made it clear he’d love a crack at the Magic Man down the line. If you know Nelson, you know what that means — raw GREATNESS, no back steps, and a fight that turns nasty the second the bell rings.
If Paulie wants the belt, don’t be surprised if Smash Nelson tries to stand in the way. He’s smashed plenty before — and he’d love to add a legend’s scalp to his collection.
MY CALL IS TYLER “EL TORNADO” GOODJOHN
Personally — if you’re asking me — don’t be shocked if it’s Tyler “El Tornado” Goodjohn that’s the man standing there when that Trigon door locks. He said himself it’s one last roll of the dice — he’s expected to announce a fight for that September card any day now. Both Paulie and Goodjohn are ex-gloved champions, both fought BKFC, both slick operators with bags of skill. Stick them in the Trigon together and you’ve got a runner for all time great battle .
