OSCAR De La Hoya mentioned while in Houston last week that he wanted Danny Jacobs’ next fight to be in New York — maybe at the Garden, maybe at the WaMu Theater. It’s a logical move for the unbeaten Brooklyn middleweight, who might be a year away from a title shot. But if De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions really wants to pack the big arena and do a big New York boxing card, the co-feature should be a rematch between Paulie Malignaggi and Juan Diaz.
The controversy over the judging of their 12-round bout last week at the Toyota Center in Houston has left a bad stench in the boxing community and tainted Diaz’s victory. The unanimous scoring of 115-113, 116-112 and 118-110 is being viewed as home-cooking at its worst.
The Post scored the fight 115-113 for Malignaggi, who had voiced concerns about the appointed judges before the fight and went ballistic after the decision was read. Even De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions backs the Houston-based Diaz, admitted, “It was a closer fight. There’s no doubt about that.”
Ricky Hatton of England was mentioned as the next possible opponent for Diaz, but that wouldn’t generate near the interest a rematch with Malignaggi, especially in New York.
I’m not in the habit of trying to make fights, but this is a rematch HBO should demand. Danny Jacobs against a credible opponent and a Malignaggi-Diaz II would be perfect for the Garden and help erase the bad taste created last week in Houston.
Malignaggi, the proud Italian-American from Brooklyn, is doing his part by a launching an Internet campaign demanding a rematch. Judging by his hits on Facebook and Twitter, he’s getting plenty of support.
Anyone who cares about boxing should be demanding a rematch. After the bout, HBO commentator Max Kellerman suggested Diaz won because he was with the more powerful promoter in Golden Boy and is more marketable than Malignaggi. That stinks. I was there. The crowd was barely 7,000 mostly drunk fans, who waged several ugly fights in the stands. Liquor sales were stopped before the main event started — some market place.
Bring the rematch to the Garden and I bet it does well over 10,000 in the Mecca of boxing. And unlike Malignaggi, Diaz will get a fair shake from the New York State Athletic Commission.
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UFC 102 takes place at the Rose Garden in Portland tonight with heavyweight Randy Couture going against Antonio Rodrigo Minotauro Noguei. Couture is a three-time champion, having lost the belt to Brock Lesnar last November. Noguei, also a former UFC champion, lost his most recent fight against Frank Mir.
A victory tonight, puts the winner in line for
another title shot, though Couture said he doesn’t feel his career is on the line.
“Somebody wins and somebody loses in every fight,” he said. “And the same is going to be true [tonight]. Somebody is going to walk out of there having lost and unfortunately lost a second time. I don’t think either one of us are in that situation where two losses you’re going to be dropped, you’re going to be out. I think we’re both experienced.
“We have big followings. We’ve made names and reputations for ourselves. I don’t think we find ourselves under that kind of scrutiny or under the gun.”
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“Mayweather-Marquez 24/7” debuts tonight at 10:15 on HBO. It’s the first of four episodes providing a behind-the-scenes look at preparation or the Sept. 19 bout between Floyd Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas.