• Boxing

I want Hatton after I KO Khan - Malignaggi

ESPN staff
March 4, 2010
Paulie Malignaggi lost to Ricky Hatton in 2008 © Getty Images
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Paulie Malignaggi plans to silence his critics by taking Amir Khan's WBA light-welterweight belt and then defending the title against Ricky Hatton.

The Khan and Malignaggi camps are locked in negotiations over a May 15 fight in New York that would be the 23-year-old Brit's first in America.

After first-choice opponent for that night Juan Manuel Marquez pulled out of a contest, Khan has been criticised for not approaching a more testing challenger. Malignaggi is said to lack power in his punches, although he impressed in his last fight - a victory over Juan Diaz.

"There's going to be a big 'kiss my ass' to everybody out there after I beat Amir Khan because plenty of people have been dissing him for fighting me," Malignaggi said.

If he does win the Khan fight, the 29-year-old will seek a rematch against Hatton. The Mancunian, who has confirmed he will return to the ring for at least one more fight, secured an 11th-round triumph when the two last met in 2008.

"My ultimate goal is to get Ricky," Malignaggi, who holds a 27-3 record, said. "The competitor in me will not let me swallow that loss. Ricky only beat me because I was with the wrong trainer."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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