Paulie Malignaggi vs Artem takes place tonight in Tampa, Fla and will be pay-per-view in the US.
While this weekend’s main action in the world of professional boxing will take place on Sunday featuring Jermell Charlo — there’s also be a bit of intrigue in tonight’s bare knuckle boxing circus it must be said.
While there has been many critics of the format so far since its attempt to become a mainstream sport in recent years there is no doubting people will tune in out of curiosity.
If nothing else.
Largely to Paulie Malignaggi being the first well known figure in pro boxing to compete.
There’s also the story line of the New Yorker taking on a training partner and good friend of Conor McGregor.
Artem and McGregor are very close and Malignaggi and McGregor are not very fond of each other at all.
Many will remember a few years back Malignaggi’s much publicized spat with McGregor before Mayweather vs McGregor.
Some have said McGregor could be in attendance himself tonight.
Paulie Malignaggi vs Artem Team Altercation
If hype is what they’re going for ahead of the fight the following surely illustrates the theme of the event:
Malignaggi being a former professional world champion, even at his age, should have enough skills with his fists to get the job done.
Having said that — no one really knows what to expect from tonight.
Malignaggi hasn’t fought professionally since 2017 when he lost to Sam Eggington in the UK.
His sparring with Conor McGregor before Mayweather vs McGregor and preparation for tonight are perhaps the only bit of recent practice he’s had.
One wonders what will happen tonight in truth.
Malignaggi has never been a guy with one-punch knockout power so expect a bloody, possibly very messy fight for as long as it lasts.
