Tuesday 28 February 2017 14:04, UK
Paulie Malignaggi wants to keep his boxing dream alive ahead of Sam Eggington bout on the Haye vs Bellew undercard at London’s O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
'The Magic Man' is a former two-weight world champion but admits he is as motivated as ever.
"When you're younger, you take it for granted," he told Fighthype.com.
As I get older and I realise that the big stage is passing me by, you just want to be able to keep dreaming a little longer.
"As I get older and I realise that the big stage is passing me by, you just want to be able to keep dreaming a little longer. You just want to be able to feel, just a little while longer, that rush of really this stupendous emotion that is hard to really describe."
Eggington stopped former world title challenger Frankie Gavin in a fight-of-the-year contender in October, but Malignaggi feels he is facing him at the right time.
"The top 10 is pretty top-heavy but at the bottom it's pretty much open season," he said.
"A win over Sam Eggington puts me in the lower-top 10 of the welterweight division. At this stage of my career, it would be a blessing for me to achieve and then we'll take it from there."
The New Yorker last boxed in the UK in December 2015 and also acknowledged the British fans as a reason behind his decision to fight on.
"Performing in England is something that I love, the fans are appreciative and they make you feel it's worth the work."
Watch Sam Eggington v Paulie Malignaggi on the undercard of Haye v Bellew on March 4, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
