Magic Man on track

Malignaggi: on the mend

I'm looking ahead to a big showdown in the fall. I'll be ready to rock 'n roll against Ricky Hatton.

Paulie Malignaggi
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Paulie Malignaggi says he will be fit and firing for his November showdown with Ricky Hatton.

The Magic Man has had the cast removed from the right hand he damaged against Lovemore N'dou on The Homecoming undercard in Manchester.

He underwent surgery on May 28 to repair a fractured metacarpal bone in his middle finger and has already begun his rehabilitation.

And with five months to go before he defends his IBF light-welterweight title against Hatton, Malignaggi has no doubts he will be fully fit for the showdown.

"I feel good about the whole situation," he said. "Getting the cast off was the first step, now rehabilitation starts. There's no pain or swelling of the hand.

"I'm moving forward, thanks to Dr. Margles, who has saved my career several times. I'm looking ahead to a big showdown in the fall. I'll be ready to rock 'n roll against Ricky Hatton."

Margles is a renowned hand specialist working out of Burlington, Massachusetts, who has healed former world champions such as Vinny Paz, Micky Ward and Harry Simon.

"I removed his cast and took x-rays," he explained. "There was no pain and the fracture is healing like magic. Right now, he's on or ahead of schedule."

The Hatton fight is likely to take place in Las Vegas after the Hitman's team confirmed they are looking there because it will be cheaper than New York for the thousands of fans likely to make the trip.