Chris Trotman - Getty Images
Paulie Malignaggi has landed a fight with WBA beltholder Vyacheslav Senchenko. The big question is will he be willing to travel to the Ukraine. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
Paulie Malignaggi has been trying for some time to goad WBA welterweight champion Vyachaslev Senchenko into a fight through relentless tweeting. It seems that this strategy worked because, as reported earlier, Union Boxing Promotions won the purse bid with a whopping $1,000,100 offer. After winning the purse bid, Yuri Raban, the president of Union Boxing Promotions, made some comments to Jake Donovan of Boxing Scene.
"For us it was important to beat the opponent's bid so that in the future we can dictate the basic terms of the future battle. We managed to do that, and now the fight for the championship will be held in our territory with our fans' support. The Senchenko-Malignaggi fight will be a real gem of the upcoming tournament in April."
Now it might seem like $1,000,100 is a great deal of money. Yet, this fight will take place at Donbass Arena in Donetsk, Ukraine, a brand-new $400 million stadium with a capacity of over 50,000. This stadium was built for the upcoming European Cup in 2012, the second largest soccer competition in the world behind the World Cup. So this fight won't take place in a backwoods shack, like some people would think.
Even though there is a bunch of nice talk coming from Senchenko's promotional company, it remains to be seen if they are serious or if this is some sort of elaborate bluff. The reason this might be a bluff is that they tried to get American Brad Solomon to the Ukraine at the end of last year but Solomon eventually pulled out of the fight. And right now it seems that Paulie is quite hesitant to pack his bags and go fight in the Ukraine. I would imagine that Paulie is afraid of getting screwed by the judges. He doesn't want to go halfway around the world knowing that he has to KO Senchenko. I hope that Paulie can get a fair shake in Ukraine. This is the country that gave us the Klitschko brothers, they have a boxing history and they should be able to get impartial judges. What do you guys think? Can Paulie get a fair shake in the Ukraine or will he get screwed again?
0 recs | 7 comments
Screwed again?
Other than the first Diaz fight, for which JRok convinced me he wasn’t actually “screwed”, in what fight has Paulie been on the wrong end of a close one?
I actually think Paulie will end up taking this one. $300k is probably one of his top 5 paydays, plus he gets a title shot with WBA appointed judges.
Brickhaus - January 27, 2012 via mobile
Well Paulie sure thinks he was screwed and that’s the opinion that matters in this situation. Personally, i agree with you and jrok that it was a close fight but it could be a reason that Paulie chooses not to go to the Ukraine
Waldo Rastel - January 27, 2012
I am pretty sure you can count on getting screwed in Eastern Europe.
The only argument against this would be Karoly Balzsay’s decision win last year in Ukraine over a Ukrainian fighter (Kashtanov) in a somewhat close fight.
Then again, is it that big a deal if he gets screwed? It will be a really big payday and I don’t think it really affects other chances for other alphabet titles in the future. If he really fights well maybe it can help him land some good fights in America. He might as well collect the money, give it his best shot (you never know), then target the IBF title back home which might be easier to negotiate (he is rated by the IBF at welterweight)
Radu - January 27, 2012
You can count on getting screwed just about anywhere. Eastern Europe, Germany – they’re no worse than the good ol’ US of A.
Oli Goldstein - January 27, 2012
Western Europe isn’t much better – some disgusting home cooking in the UK last year!
Skeletor1982 - January 28, 2012 via iPhone app
Absolutely. Point being that nowhere should or can be seen as “good” for judging, or more “fair” than anywhere else.
Oli Goldstein - January 28, 2012
well he talked all that crap about his opponent hiding and not wanting to fight him in america for the title..well heres your shot..after all the crap he said about his opponent being scared to fight him, if the bid goes through..paulie stands to make a good deal of money no? hes all about tk worldwide on twitter..if he gets screwed which i dont think he will, he can always call for a rematch and possibly bring it to the states then
Vicmatic1 - January 27, 2012
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