Paulie Malignaggi doesn’t recall how many chances the teachers and administrators gave him at New Utrecht High.
If he wasn’t cutting class, he was getting into fights, usually with guys much bigger than him.
If he actually attended a class, he was so disruptive it was like a fighter throwing low blows, round after round.
Finally the 10-count came. Malignaggi got tossed and, if not for his uncle and grandfather taking him to Gleason’s Gym, he honestly can say for certain where he would have been last night: in the Garden, fighting Miguel Cotto for Cotto’s WBO junior welterweight title, or in Rikers Island, doing a stretch.
“I don’t think I was that bad of a kid, but who knows,” Malignaggi said. “I didn’t have any guidance. My mother remarried and I didn’t get along with my stepfather. I was looking for something. Thank God boxing came along.”
Boxing came along, and after winning the 1998 and 2001 Golden Gloves titles and collecting 21 professional wins, five by knockout, plus enduring three surgeries to repair a busted right hand, Maglinaggi could recall with absolute clarity what his last thought was Friday night before falling asleep.
“This will be my last day without a title,” he said.
Cotto (26-0, 22 KOs), of course, had other plans. He was on the verge of being recognized as the next great Puerto Rican fighter. Last June, he dominated Muhammad Abdulaev in a nineround knockout in the Garden, but the fight was so boring it did little to boost Cotto’s standing the night before the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
This is Cotto’s second chance to thrill Latin fighters in the metropolitan area and those watching on pay-per-view. He
wants to march proudly today in the parade, with the belt firmly around his waist.
“The other fighter always has something to do with the style of fight,” Cotto said. “Malignaggi has been talking all week. I will let my fists do the talking.”
Before Malignaggi and Cotto climbed into the ring, the Garden figured to be bathed in an electric atmosphere. Notre
Dame safety Tom Zbikowski was making his pro debut against Robert Bell (2-2, 2 KOs).
Zbikowski’s teammate and roommate, Jeff Samardzija, was expected to carry the Polish flag leading Zbikowski into the ring. Some 50 of Zbikowski’s teammates were expected to form a gauntlet from their fighter’s dressing room to the ring.
“It’s going to be an unbelievable thrill,” Zbikowski said. “To make your pro debut in Madison Square Garden, surrounded by family and friends, it’s a dream come true.”