Juan Diaz vs. Paul Malignaggi (1st meeting)

Notes

Juan Diaz 34-2 (17 KOs) vs. Paul Malignaggi 26-2 (5 KOs)
Diaz entered as the # 2 lightweight in the world according to The Ring Magazine. Malignaggi, a 4-1 underdog, was ranked the # 6 junior welterweight by the same publication.
Diaz came in with a record of 1-2 in his previous three bouts and was coming off the first knockout loss of his professional career, a 9th Round TKO to Juan Manuel Marquez six months earlier. Malignaggi was 1-1 in his last two with the defeat coming by way of 11th round TKO to Ricky Hatton.
For Diaz, it was his third consecutive bout to take place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
The broadcast included a seven-minute tribute to late world champions Alexis Arguello, Arturo Gatti and Vernon Forrest. All three died tragically in July.
Title had been vacated by Victor Ortiz.
Ringside scorer Harold Lederman scored the fight for Malignaggi, 115-113.
This was a highly controversial decision, as many observers felt that Malignaggi deserved the nod. Judge Gale Van Hoy in particular was criticized for his unusually wide scorecard (118-110) in favor of Diaz.
Compubox Blows: Malignaggi 191/949 20%; Diaz 178/663 27%.

Preceded by:
Ortiz vs. Arnaoutis

NABO Light Welterweight Title Fight
# 30

Succeeded by:
Galarza vs. Allotey
Interim