Joshua vs Whyte: Paulie Malignaggi fighting for European title on undercard
Wednesday 2 December 2015 18:48, UK
Paulie Malignaggi is on the undercard of Joshua vs Whyte looking to fulfil a dream of winning a European title.
The two-weight world champion will take on welterweight holder Gianluca Branco at The O2 on Saturday, December 12, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Italian-American Maliginaggi (34-7-0-KO7) was born in Brooklyn, New York, but spent his early years in Siracusa, Sicily and has always wanted to be crowned continental champion. He is looking forward to boxing in the United Kingdom.
"It's always been a dream of mine to fight for the European title," he said. "I'm proud of my Italian roots and I've always believed that I would get the chance to fight for the belt.
"British boxing fans are amazing and The O2 is one of the best venues in the world, I cannot wait to get over to London and put on a great performance for the fans and get my hands on the title.
"Branco is a quality fighter with a lot of experience, but I believe that I'll take that title on December 12 and do it in style."
Branco (49-3-1-KO24) is 45 years old - 10 years older than Malignaggi - but has been European welterweight champion for the last three years. He also held it at super-lightweight on two separate occasions going back to 2001.
The man from Lazio challenged Arturo Gatti (2004) and Miguel Cotto (2006) for super-lightweight world titles, while Malignaggi also lost to Cotto in the champion's next defence, but beat Lovemore N'dou the following year to win the IBF world title.
Malignaggi will be best remembered for boxing Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas in 2008 and Amir Khan at Madison Square in New York in 2010, while his only fight in the United Kingdom was on Hatton's 'Homecoming' at the City of Manchester in 2008, when he beat N'dou again to set up the American showdown with 'The Hitman'.
Watch Malignaggi vs Branco on Joshua vs Whyte, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office, December 12, now available to order via phone or online.
