Who wins Shawn Porter vs. Paulie Malignaggi?
Jack Obermayer, Fight Fax Inc.
Shawn Porter W 12 Paulie Malignaggi: As much as I admire Paulie Malignaggi's grit, he is up against a naturally bigger, younger faster boxer in Shawn Porter. Other than lessons learned over the years, Paulie has little on his side.
One thing though, Paulie won't just fold up and run. He will look good in spots, but Porter has arrived on center stage, and it's his time to shine. Porter by decision.
Record: 3-1 [Last pick: Pacquiao W 12 Bradley]
John J. Raspanti, Doghouseboxing.com/KO Monthly Magazine/examiner.com
Shawn Porter UD 12 Paulie Malignaggi: I'm picking Shawn Porter, making the first defense of his welterweight crown, to win by unanimous decision over Paulie Malignaggi. Porter surprised many by defeating Devon Alexander last year.
Malignaggi beat old friend Zab Judah on the same card. I see a competitive fight, with the exuberant Porter doing more in the later rounds to win the bout.
Record: 6-3 [Last pick: Pacquiao W 12 Bradley]
Matt Richardson, Fightnews.com
Shawn Porter W 12 Paulie Malignaggi: This is a very difficult fight to pick. I still think Paulie Malignaggi has some gas left in the tank, but will it be enough to beat Shawn Porter? I'm honestly not sure.
Porter looked very good winning his title from Devon Alexander last year, but has that prepared him to deal with the experienced Malignaggi? There are a lot of questions going into this fight and not many clear answers.
With a gun to my head, I'd say Porter should out-work a tiring Malignaggi down the stretch to win a close and likely controversial decision. A draw or close win for either guy isn't out of the question either. It's that type of fight.
Record: 5-3 [Last pick: Bradley W 12 Pacquiao]
Shawn Porter in action during his IBF welterweight title fight against Devon Alexander at Barclays Center on Dec. 7, 2013, in Brooklyn N.Y. Photo by Elsa/Golden Boy via Getty Images
Shawn Porter W 12 Paulie Maliganaggi: This is a tough call, but Shawn Porter seems to be growing as a fighter, showing marked improvement in his last few bouts. He should be able to impose his strength on Paulie Malignaggi.
Record: 5-4 [Last pick: Pacquiao W 12 Bradley]
Abel Sanchez, trainer of WBA 160-pound titleholder Gennady Golovkin
Shawn Porter W 12 Paulie Malinaggi: In a very physical fight, Shawn Porter will wrestle and hold more then usual to keep Paulie Malinaggi close so that he may wear him down and eke out a very disputable split-decision.
Record: 1-0 [Last pick: Pacquiao UD 12 Bradley]
Joseph Santoliquito/THE RING Magazine/RingTV.com/CBS Sports
Shawn Porter W 12 Paulie Malignaggi: Shawn Porter may be a little too young and little too sharp for Paulie Malignaggi.
Record: 4-0 [Last pick: Pacquiao KO 9 Bradley]
Shawn Porter W 12 Paulie Malignaggi: I have Shawn Porter by decision. Porter has turned a corner in his career, and he is a little better of an athlete. I favor Porter to out-hustle Paulie Malignaggi.
Record: 2-2 [Last pick: Ortiz W 12 Collazo]
Shawn Porter SD 12 Paulie Malignaggi: Once again, Paulie Malignaggi will lose a close decision to a younger, undefeated fighter. Shawn Porter's physical strength will be a key factor, as he will be able to rough Paulie up and push him around.
Malignaggi will be in the fight the whole way by using his jab as his main weapon to win rounds. A Malignaggi win would put him on the short list to face Mayweather in September.
But Porter will be too strong, and a late stoppage wouldn't surprise me. I expect the fight to be close, but I am picking Porter by split decision.
Record: 3-1 [Last pick: Pacquiao UD 12 Bradley]
Shawn Porter TKO 10 Paulie Malignaggi: Paulie Malignaggi has his share of ring smarts, too, but I don’t believe his heart is fully in the fight game anymore at 33. Malignaggi's got a great future as a ring analyst.
Shawn Porter is a very talented young fighter with excellent power. I see him wearing Malignaggi down for nine rounds before the fight is stopped in the 10th.
Record: 3-0 [Last pick: Pacquiao UD 12 Bradley]
Shawn Porter W 12 Paulie Malignaggi: Paulie Malignaggi has come into his own at a late age, winning a second title in an many weight classes and being close to prevailing in a loss against an up-and-comer in Adrien Broner.
Shawn Porter was touted as very good prospect, but had many problems along the way with his performances, such as was the case with the split- draw against Julio Diaz.
In all honesty, this is a tough call, but I'm going with the younger man. Porter will win simply on superior activity, although the fight could ver well end in another SD draw. Still, I'm betting this will be a close unanimous decision for Porter.
Record: 3-4 [Last pick: Pacquiao W 12 Bradley]
Charles Villa, guest/fan, Portland, Ore.
Shawn Porter UD 12 Paulie Malignaggi: Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi has indeed earned his nickname over the course of his career. How else can you explain a non-power punching fighter reaching the heights he has been able to achieve in boxing?
Despite having falling short in the majority of his top-tier fights, Paulie can still expose a pretender over the course of 12 rounds. But, while Shawn Porter hasn't faced the level of opposition that Paulie has, there doesn't appear to be any quit in Porter's body as evidenced by his win over Devon Alexander.
Porter appears to be the type of fighter that will keep moving forward until his point is proven, and Paulie doesn't have the power to halt that type of forward momentum. Paulie's all heart and skill, but as he's getting older, both those things appear to be declining. Look for Porter to win by unanimous decison.
Record: 2-3 [Last pick: Pacquiao UD 12 Bradley]
Shawn Porter W 12 Paulie Malignaggi: This is an interesting match up. Shawn Porter is the guy on the rise, while Paulie Malignaggi proved in his last fight by beating Zab Judah that there's still life in the old dog.
But I see Porter's greater size and strength being the key. All told, I think Porter presses Malignaggi, winning a competitive unanimous decision.
Record: 5-3 [Last pick: Bradley W 12 Pacquiao]
Abe Wiggington, guest/fan, Arlington, Texas
Shawn Porter SD 12 Paulie Malignaggi: This matchup between Paulie Malignaggi and Shawn Porter could be a good one. Both are coming off very good wins and the stakes are high, with the winner likely headed for a bigger fight later this year.
Malignaggi is hoping it is Floyd Mayweather Jr., but I think he is dreaming. My prediction for this fight is that youth and power will beat experience. Porter by split-decision.
Record: 0-0
By an overwhelming 19-to-5, the insiders favor Shawn Porter to successfully defend his IBF welterweight title against ex-beltholder Paulie Malignaggi.
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