World Boxing Association (“WBA”) Welterweight Champion Vyacheslav Senchenko plans to make a major statement in his April 29 world title defense, live on pay per viewfrom Donboss Arena in Donetsk, Ukraine, against former International Boxing Federation (“IBF”) junior welterweight titlist Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi.
“I want to give American fight fans what they like by being aggressive and attacking Malignaggi,” Senchenko said from the Wild Card Gym. “They won’t be disappointed by my style. I hope that, after this fight, American television people will see my boxing skills and offer me big fights.
“I want to showcase my talents in America, which is known as one of the best places in the world to box. Not boxing there would be a disappointment. I want to have a couple of fights in the US, not just one, but any fight has to be the right fight for me. My promoter, Yuri Raban (Union Boxing), will decide who my next opponent will be and where. It’s important for any boxer to be on US television. Every boxer has that dream. Even thought this fight is happening in the Ukraine, I am very happy that Integrated Sports Media will be broadcasting this fight live so people in the US will be able to watch me fight.”
The outspoken Malignaggi (30-4, 6 KOs) is unbeaten since moving up to welterweight with victories against Michael Lozada (TKO6), Jose Miguel Cotto (DEC10) and Orlando Lora (DEC10).
“Malignaggi is nothing special,” Senchenko commented. “I know how to fight him. I plan to expose his weaknesses during the fight. I’m going to make sure that Malignaggi remembers my name for a long time. What he says does not bother me at all. I smile when I hear most of the stuff he says. I’m not a talker. I am a boxer and I’ll show my skills in the ring. I am very calm and focused on my fight on April 29th.
“Paulie is already talking about defending his title in Brooklyn, but I am still the champion. He needs to take the title from me. He should start thinking about retiring, not defending the title, after he fights me.”
Rated No. 5 in the world by The Ring Magazine, Senchenkowon the WBA title in 2009 by way of a 12-round decision against previously undefeated Yuriy Nuzhnenko. Vyacheslav has successfully defended his world title belt three times against Motoki Sasaki (DEC12), Charlie Jose Navarro (DEC12) and more recently Marco Antonio Avendano (TKO6) last August in his last fight.
Senchenko has been training under the guidance of multiple Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach in Hollywood, California. “Training is going very well,” 2000 Ukraine Olympian Senchenko concluded. “I enjoy working with Freddie; he is the best trainer in the world. I learn something new from him every day. I like the Wild Card Gym a lot. I feel good when I am there and now it’s like my home gym.”
