As usual, Malignaggi was quick and aggressive out of the gates.  During his entrance into the ring, boo’s were being launched in his direction, but it was only a few minutes later that “Paulie” chants could be heard after a brilliant opening round.  It was evident from the opening ding that this was going to be his night for redemption, and just as quickly and decisively as he took the first round, he also demanded the second.  A seemingly endless amount of jabs were used to keep the distance at his pace, while he was also able to create a small cut above Diaz’s eye.   Diaz decided to show up in the third, connecting on multiple combinations, but it was still the Magic Man that was controlling the fight with amazing defensive jukes and constant pressure with the jab.  It wasn’t until the fifth round that I though Diaz won a round, and even then, it really wasn’t that decisive.

At this point, Paulie was clearly winning the fight, but the sixth round showcased one of the most disappointing boxing decisions you could ever witness.  After connecting on several double jabs, Malignaggi was able to stun Diaz with a straight right.  Wobbling back and obviously stunned, Baby Bull was spared the constant pressure so Paulie could dance so obnoxiously that it appeared he was going to do a back flip out of the ring.  We’ve all seen Paulie do the “lean in and out” and “acknowledge the crowd” dances before, but this so far beyond that, all it did was point out the fact that he can be a showboating chump with only five knockouts to his name.  However, aside from that instance, Malignaggi was able to prove that his incredible speed and reflexes make for an exciting and dangerous style, albeit a non-violent one.

It looked as like he was going to run away with it after the “knockdown” in the 10th (never before had I seen someone get an eight count for being unbalanced before, it sure didn’t look like his glove touched to me, but you still have to score it accordingly), but Diaz knew what he had to do and really brought it in the 11th and 12th rounds, winning both on my scorecard.  Unfortunately for him, it was not enough.  This was the Magic Mans night for redemption, and he was finally awarded that much deserved W.

Hammer’s Score Card
Malignaggi - 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 9 10 10 9 9  (116)
Diaz - 9 9 9 9 10 9 9 10 9 8 10 10  (111)

Hey, that’s the same exact score as EVERY judge and Kellerman had it.  How was this so easy to judge this time?  (Houston judges lowering their heads in shame)

As impressive as Malignaggi looked in his performance, there was another great showcase of talent Saturday night and that was the ability Chicago has to produce a quality boxing event.  The UIC Pavilion is located right in the heart of Downtown Chicago and is an excellent venue that has the ability to hold a large amount of enthusiastic boxing fans.  The United Center, only a short cab ride away, also meets the standards that high quality bouts require.  The Midwest is home to just as many brilliant fighters as anywhere in the world, but it has lacked a “Go-To” place for major title fights.  We’ve seen Mayweather fight in Grand Rapids, and Pavlik fight in Youngstown, but as the stars of this region grow, so does their venue need.  There has to be a place capable of meeting the event needs, that is easily accessible to people in that region, and that place for the Midwest is Chicago.  Don’t get me wrong, Vegas is obviously the place to have a Super Fight, and Atlantic City is a close second.  But why shouldn’t the best of the Midwest meet up in Chicago more often, this town is geared for it.  And if non-Midwest fighters want a neutral place to settle the score, where better to do it?  
 

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