by James Slater – The rematch Paulie Malignaggi all but demanded after losing a very controversial to Juan Diaz back in August is on. Scheduled to take place in Chicago on December 12th, with HBO televising, the rematch will hopefully settle things between the two fighters once and for all. Most observers, aside from fans of Diaz, had “The Magic Man” winning and felt he was more than worthy of being awarded the points win that went in the Texan’s favour just over two months ago, and now the 28-year-old will get his chance to right a wrong.
The action on August 22nd, aside from resulting in one of the year’s most debatable decisions, also entertained the fans, and the sequel figures to do the same. On neutral ground in Chicago – a site in which neither guy has fought before – the return, it is hoped, will see none of the crazy scoring the first fight did. Held, of course, in Texas, Diaz was somehow deemed a winner by a margin of 118-110 on one judge’s card. It’s not yet known who the three scoring officials will be on December 12th, but we will be hoping to see fair and unbiased scoring..
Diaz, two years younger than Malignaggi at age 26, forced the August fight, but he was hit cleanly more than he hit his opponent with clean shots and he was outboxed. Okay, the UD win the aggressive Texan was given wasn’t one of the worst decisions ever seen, but it was bad enough to warrant the rematch we will now thankfully be seeing. Malignaggi needed this fight, his career in an apparent limbo without it, and now he will be throwing himself into intense training for the second fight.
As fans know, the first bout was held at a catch-weight of 138.5-pounds, and this was seen as another advantage on the part of Diaz. The return, a 50-50 promotion to be put on by Lou DiBella and Golden Boy, is up as taking place at light-welterweight on BoxRec – but the exact weight is yet to be made official. According to FightNews.com, a press conference to formally announce the fight will more than likely take place some time next week.
Also of note, and also according to BoxRec, “Vicious” Victor Ortiz will make his return on the card. Set to face tough Mexican Antonio Diaz (who was at one time supposed to fight Zab Judah on the Sept. 19th Mayweather-Marquez show), the exciting 22-year-old will be having his first fight since losing for only the second time (and the first time comprehensively, the other loss being a DQ) in a June slugfest with Marcos Rene Maidana, when he was TKO’d in the 6th-round. 33-year-old Diaz, 46-5-1(29) will likely provide very good competition for the 24-2-1(19) man from Oxnard.
Also set to fight on the Chicago bill are Cuban light-middleweight prospect Erislnady Lara, light-heavyweight contender Yusaf Mack, and heavyweight name Dominick Guinn. All are set to face TBA’s. The December card should give fans some value for money night.