Barclays Center will host two of the borough’s favorite sons, Zab “Super” Judah and Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi, on Saturday, Dec. 7 to decide who is the true King of Brooklyn. The 12-round welterweight bout will be televised live on Showtime, and the co-feature for the evening has been confirmed as Austin Trout vs. Erislandy Lara.
Check out the opening quotes, photos from the press conference, and more details about the Judah vs. Malignaggi event right here.
“I am happy to be back fighting in front of my hometown crowd,” said Judah, who is from Brownsville. “Paulie and I have known each other for a long time and we have a mutual respect for each other, but with this fight on Dec. 7 it is going to be like the ancient Roman days. There has to be a leader and that position belongs to me.”
“I have always admired Zab’s skills and his resume speaks for itself,” said Malignaggi, a native of Bensonhurst. “But this is the ‘Battle of Brooklyn’ and winning this fight is worth more than any world title.”
“In a year of great fights, I have to say that this one is high on my list of the most anticipated,” said CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer.
“Paulie and Zab are two of the slickest, fastest and most charismatic boxers in the world today and when you add in the fact that they’re fighting for Brooklyn bragging rights, it’s going to be an early holiday gift for boxing fans.”
“Judah vs. Malignaggi promises to be a high intensity chess match between two master boxers,” said Vice President of Super Judah Promotions Bill Halkias.
“This fight is not only special to Brooklyn boxing fans, but also a highly anticipated fight for boxing fans in general. Who wouldn’t want to see two highly skilled and experienced world champion boxers go at it for the right to be crowned ‘The King of Brooklyn’? I believe Dec. 7 will be a night to remember.”
“We’ve hosted some great fights at Barclays Center in our first year, but this one is different – this fight is about two Brooklyn-born-and-raised fighters proudly representing their respective neighborhoods,” said Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark.
“Paulie and Zab are pros at captivating audiences with their big personalities and boxing skills. We are delighted that they will once again step into Brooklyn’s most celebrated ring for what is sure to be another memorable night of boxing at Barclays Center.”
“Highly competitive, hard-fought, exciting fights have been the hallmark of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING all year long, and the December 7 card is no different,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.
“If you want tune-ups, appearance fights or mismatches, then look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for evenly matched, meaningful fights featuring four of the most skilled boxers in any division, then the December 7 edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a can’t-miss.”
In the 12-round co-main event, the WBA Super Welterweight Championship is on the line as interim titleholder Erislandy Lara battles former champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout. The Cuban star, Lara, is coming off a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate in his 10th -round title-winning stoppage of Alfredo Angulo in June, but the gifted Trout is hungrier than ever to regain his world title. Additionally, 2012 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne, who will be featured at Barclays Center for the fifth time in his professional career, will face an opponent to be determined.
“This is a great matchup with Austin Trout and I respect his skills in the ring,” said Lara. “He knows the art of boxing like I do, and the fans will see the sport at its highest level when we fight.”
“It’s only been a few months, but I already miss being called ‘champ,'” said Trout. “So I’d like to thank Lara, Golden Boy, and the WBA for this opportunity to get my belt back and I will get it back this December.”
“Barclays Center has truly become my second home,” said Browne. “Having the opportunity to fight there more times than any one else is an honor. I look forward to making another appearance there on Dec. 7.”
Full Quotes List
ZAB JUDAH
“Once again we are here. This is truly one fight that I never thought that we [looking at Malignaggi] would be on the other side of the coin. There is so much history here.
“I lost my last fight here at Barclays and Paulie lost his last fight at Barclays Center and it didn’t mean anything. We are still two dynamite fighters. Our skills speak for themselves.
“A lot of people wanted this fight to happen. On Dec. 7, we are coming to bring fireworks.
“I have known Paulie for a long time. I watched him grow throughout the years. I was always very proud of him because he represented the ‘BK’. I always stood by his side. On Dec. 7, you are going to see a great fight. You’re going to see some of the fastest hands in the world.
“We might break a jab count because I throw a lot of jabs and Paulie throws a lot of jabs. I think we are going to give a good, classy act of boxing that night. Get ready.
“My main edge over Paulie will be hand speed and power. Paulie has quick hands too. He throws a lot of punches, but he has nothing to hold me off..
“It’s been proven in the past that you have to know how to hold me back. He can punch; we’re going to see.
“I’ve been waking up and going to the gym, sparring young guys and training. I am already putting in work at the gym.”
PAULIE MALIGNAGGI
“I’ve been around Zab a long time and never expected to be across the ring from him, but, you know, we have to give Brooklyn what Brooklyn wants. So, it starts there.
“Zab and I go back a long way. I can remember when Zab worked my corner for a fight [1999 Empire State Games at Hofstra University]. Zab was an honorary coach and working the corner for all the amateurs. He actually trained us that week.
“So we go back even before I was a pro, seeing Zab in the gym, seeing Zab sparring even before I had my first amateur fight.
“I kind of got a late start in boxing. I was 16 when I started and had my first amateur fight when I was 17. So I had always heard about Zab through the years.
“It’s been a long road. It’s had its ups and downs. Speaking of the last fight, some things irk me. That result definitely irked me. I don’t mind losing a decision; it’s close and can go both ways. Things happen. There hasn’t been a day since June 22 that I don’t get at least one or two people, no matter what city I’m in, come up to me and say, ‘Paul, you got screwed in that Broner fight.’
“On Dec. 7, Zab and I are going to put on a great show. It’s going to be the best main event we’ve had yet and that the fans will look forward to because we have the perfect venue for it. When they made Barclays Center, it was made for fights like this.
“This is going to be a civil war. Whenever you have a fight at a high level, you are always representing your city, the city you come from. It’s usually Brooklyn against another city. But being it’s Brooklyn against Brooklyn, it becomes a borough divided and you end up breaking it into neighborhoods and who is going to support what neighborhood. So it’s pretty cool.
“It’s old school. It’s the way old school fighters came up, winning their regions first and then moving on to the world stage. We’ve been on the world stage and now we’re bringing it back to the grassroots again.
“I’ve fought friends in the amateurs, but never in the pros. Once the bell rings, we both have a goal. We’re both competitors and we both want to win. Once somebody lands that first punch, then the other guy hits you a little harder, before you know it you’re mad and in the mood for a fight.
“Zab’s a crafty guy, a veteran, very versatile and still has those fast hands and southpaw stance. He’s been around for a long time because of his ability and craftiness and his ring intelligence. So there’s some stuff to deal with. But that’s why you go to training camp, devise a game plan and then you put it all on the line, you put it all together.
“I expect a tough fight. There’s a lot on the line. I don’t think anybody wants to lose in their home city to another guy from his home city. There’s a lot of bragging rights on the line. I expect both of us to fight hard and to leave nothing in the ring. I expect it to be entertaining for everybody.”
