Photo by: Thierry GourjonBROOKLYN- Super lightweight contender Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (21-1, 5 KOs) has received medical clearance to return to the ring.
Malignaggi underwent surgery in mid-June to repair his fractured right cheekbone. Today, he returned to the Lahey Clinic & Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts, where senior plastic surgeon Dr. David J. Bryan evaluated Malignaggi and gave him a green light to start training.
“I can start training right now and sparring in another month or so,” a happy Malignaggi said. “I’d already started running. This is what I’ve been waiting for. I’m antsy to get back in the gym and to fight again. I want to put my last fight (LDEC12 to Miguel Cotto) behind me and hope to be fighting again by December so I can enjoy the holidays. I’ll fight anybody out there, as long as they bring something to the table, financially and exposure wise. They have to be first-rate.”
Malignaggi’s manager Sal LoNano, who also managed Micky Ward, meets tomorrow with Paulie’s promoter, Lou DiBella, in New York City. “Pauli looks great and he’s in good spirits,” LoNano reported. “His face has healed very well and I’m meeting with Lou tomorrow to discuss Paulie’s immediate future. He will become world champion next year.”