Malignaggi (R) is excited about topping a bill in the Middle East Text for storyNew York’s Paulie \'Magic Man\' Malignaggi has revealed that he has been offered a fight against WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner in June. Malignaggi, the current WBA welterweight king had his sights set on a fight in Abu Dhabi in May, but is giving the offer from Broner serious thought, because it will take place at his preferred welterweight limit.
Malignaggi told RingTV: \"[I received an e-mail] to my team the other night and it said it came from Richard Schaefer [the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions] about fighting Adrien Broner. I think that Adrien Broner is a very talented guy, but it’s a winnable fight for me. I told Richard if the fight in Abu Dhabi doesn’t work out then I’ll take the fight with Broner.\"
The former IBF light welterweight champion has told his team to set up a unification fight against WBA interim welterweight champion Diego Chaves, but after talks stalled, Malignaggi said he would be happy to take on Mexico’s Humberto Soto in an equally mouthwatering WBF/WBA unification bout in the Middle East.
Speaking about potentially fighting in Abu Dhabi, Malignaggi said:\"The opportunity to fight in Abu Dhabi excites me. I am a fighter always searching for new challenges and goals and winning the WBF welterweight title along with defending my WBA welterweight title in a historic place like Abu Dhabi would be a huge feather in my hat. I feel like boxing could have a new city to hold mega fights and events and if by me fighting there I could be a part of that, well that is just the kind of situation I look for and it motivates me to strive to continue to be the best.
\"Whether the opportunity comes from Showtime Sports Events winning the purse bid or from possibly an opponent change to Humberto Soto it still remains an exciting situation for me as both of those guys are warriors and would be worthy opponents.\"
Malignaggi is likely to face either Chaves or Soto, for the WBF and WBA world welterweight championships at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on May 18th.
The provisional undercard features IBF flyweight world champion, South Africa’s Moruti Babyface\' Mthalane competing against Filipino super star Sonny Boy Jaro for the vacant WBF flyweight title.