Paulie Malignaggi wants to fight Conor McGregor

[Ruthless-RKO]

“If the Floyd talk is serious you gotta test the waters against a decently recognisable, respectable name right? My team’s phone will be on,” 36 year old Malignaggi wrote.

It seems as though McGregor – who is taking a break from UFC – will box someone, otherwise why go to the trouble of getting a license (his application for a license to box in the state of Nevada proved unsuccessful). Malignaggi, 36-7(7) certainly is a recognisable and respectable name, but would the former champ who has been in with the likes of Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan, Adrien Broner and others be too good and too well seasoned for McGregor in his boxing debut?

If and when (more likely when) McGregor boxes, the interest levels are likely to be pretty high. If he can reel off a couple of impressive enough wins, by KO preferably, this fan interest will only climb. McGregor does seem to seriously want that enormous fight – and enormous payday – with the currently retired “Money” Mayweather, but will Paulie Malignaggi, who last fought back in July of this year and who has won his last three fights, ruin McGregor’s plans by boxing his ears off and beating him in a “tune-up” first?

“He got a license today and a federal I.D,” California State Athletic Commission executive officer Andy Foster told MMAFighting. “He’s a California boxer now. He’s qualified.”

And already a number of name pro boxers want a piece of him.

[Tanzio]

pick me!!!

[caldo2025]

I love it. No fighter in the world is hotter than Conor. It's not even close. Aside from it being a spectacle that will gain crossover attention, i'd be REALLY interested to see how the top UFC fighter in the world would fare in a boxing match with a seasoned professional.

Conor's obvious strength is stand up and boxing. His hands are lightening. I've seen this guy fight many times and I have NO doubt that he could succeed in the sport of boxing if he put the effort and training in. If you've seen Conor fight, he wins with hand blows. He's a mediocre wrestler as that's not his strength. His skills in martial arts help him succeed in UFC but he's boxing is what put him on the map.

I'd LOVE to see this. Why Nevada would deny him a boxing license is crazy. I bet Dana White had something to do with that. In fact, i'm sure of it.

[Covfefe]

I'd love to see Malignaggi take him apart.

[gilgamesh]

I love it. No fighter in the world is hotter than Conor. It's not even close. Aside from it being a spectacle that will gain crossover attention, i'd be REALLY interested to see how the top UFC fighter in the world would fare in a boxing match with a seasoned professional.

Conor's obvious strength is stand up and boxing. His hands are lightening. I've seen this guy fight many times and I have NO doubt that he could succeed in the sport of boxing if he put the effort and training in. If you've seen Conor fight, he wins with hand blows. He's a mediocre wrestler as that's not his strength. His skills in martial arts help him succeed in UFC but he's boxing is what put him on the map.

I'd LOVE to see this. Why Nevada would deny him a boxing license is crazy. I bet Dana White had something to do with that. In fact, i'm sure of it.

Nevada denied him a Boxing license because he still owes a $75,000 dollar fine to Nevada State Athletic Commission. I'm pretty sure they just want their money.

[DannyMCR]

Desperate for that last big payday

[Bard of Boxrec]

good move from paulie. an option macgregor could feasibly go for too.

[p4p1]

He's not boxing. UFC contracts are tight as fornicate, they can even stop guys entering grappling contests. They OWN the guys they have under contract. He has another fight on his contract but there could be options on the contract if you're a champion. He's not fighting boxing, the UFC won't allow him to. And if he does he will be embarrassed.

[Impractical Poster]

From what I understand, it doesn't take much to get a boxing license in California.

Conor is just stirring up some press for himself.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Desperate for that last big payday

Nevada?

[lefty]

He's not boxing. UFC contracts are tight as eff, they can even stop guys entering grappling contests. They OWN the guys they have under contract. He has another fight on his contract but there could be options on the contract if you're a champion. He's not fighting boxing, the UFC won't allow him to. And if he does he will be embarrassed.

Apparently there's a loophole. Having a boxing license means he's covered by the Ali act.

[DannyMCR]

Desperate for that last big payday

Nevada?

Paulie

[marvelous marv]

Paulie KO 2. I heard van heerdan owned connor in sparring.

[p4p1]

He's not boxing. UFC contracts are tight as eff, they can even stop guys entering grappling contests. They OWN the guys they have under contract. He has another fight on his contract but there could be options on the contract if you're a champion. He's not fighting boxing, the UFC won't allow him to. And if he does he will be embarrassed.

Apparently there's a loophole. Having a boxing license means he's covered by the Ali act.

So he's going to box if the UFC doesn't come to the table with the he deal he wants? I don't buy it.

[Impractical Poster]

Desperate for that last big payday

Nevada?

Paulie

[Kalan]

“If the Floyd talk is serious you gotta test the waters against a decently recognisable, respectable name right? My team’s phone will be on,” 36 year old Malignaggi wrote.

It seems as though McGregor – who is taking a break from UFC – will box someone, otherwise why go to the trouble of getting a license (his application for a license to box in the state of Nevada proved unsuccessful). Malignaggi, 36-7(7) certainly is a recognisable and respectable name, but would the former champ who has been in with the likes of Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan, Adrien Broner and others be too good and too well seasoned for McGregor in his boxing debut?

If and when (more likely when) McGregor boxes, the interest levels are likely to be pretty high. If he can reel off a couple of impressive enough wins, by KO preferably, this fan interest will only climb. McGregor does seem to seriously want that enormous fight – and enormous payday – with the currently retired “Money” Mayweather, but will Paulie Malignaggi, who last fought back in July of this year and who has won his last three fights, ruin McGregor’s plans by boxing his ears off and beating him in a “tune-up” first?

“He got a license today and a federal I.D,” California State Athletic Commission executive officer Andy Foster told MMAFighting. “He’s a California boxer now. He’s qualified.”

And already a number of name pro boxers want a piece of him.

Conor could beat Paulie... And it would be big -- because Paulie was a World Champion and Conor is gunning for Floyd. Everybody would be curious and want to watch the fight ... It would be a mega news story... They could hold it in the Staples Center with Conor getting 15 million and Paulie 5... Conor needs much better weapons, especially the jab. He can work on that---and he needs much better feet.. but he punched the crap out of a 170-pounder so he can take Paulie apart... Once he lands one shot on Paulie he'll land the next.. Paulie is dead.. The big thing is to relax and not go crazy.. It's a lot of rounds you might need to go.. I assume he'd get 3 months to train and a lot of top coaches would offer their services -- because the publicity would be over-the-top.

[Nightmare Roy]

Anyone who thinks McGregor could beat Paulie is mad.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Is Paulie willing to fight at middleweight? I don't think McGregor is going to box, but if he does it damn sure won't be any lower than at 154.