ZAB “SUPER” JUDAH TO FIGHT FOR BROOKLYN BRAGGING RIGHTS AGAINST FORMER TWO-TIME, TWO-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION PAULIE “THE MAGIC MAN” MALIGNAGGI ON DEC. 7.
PLUS, ERISLANDY LARA TO MAKE HIS FIRST TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST AUSTIN “NO DOUBT” TROUT
Barclays Center will host two of the borough’s favorite sons, former Five-Time, Two-Division World Champion Zab “Super” Judah and former Two-Time, Two-Division World Champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi, on Saturday, Dec. 7 todecide who is the true King of Brooklyn. The 12-round welterweight bout will be televised live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).
“I am happy to be back fighting in front of my hometown crowd,” said Judah, who is from Brownsville. “Paulie and I have known each other for a long time and we have a mutual respect for each other, but with this fight on Dec. 7 it is going to be like the ancient Roman days. There has to be a leader and that position belongs to me.”
“I have always admired Zab’s skills and his resume speaks for itself,” said Malignaggi, a native of Bensonhurst. “But this is the ‘Battle of Brooklyn’ and winning this fight is worth more than any world title.”
“In a year of great fights, I have to say that this one is high on my list of the most anticipated,” said CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer. “Paulie and Zab are two of the slickest, fastest and most charismatic boxers in the world today and when you add in the fact that they’re fighting for Brooklyn bragging rights, it’s going to be an early holiday gift for boxing fans.”
“Judah vs. Malignaggi promises to be a high intensity chess match between two master boxers,” said Vice President of Super Judah Promotions Bill Halkias. “This fight is not only special to Brooklyn boxing fans, but also a highly anticipated fight for boxing fans in general. Who wouldn’t want to see two highly skilled and experienced world champion boxers go at it for the right to be crowned ‘The King of Brooklyn’? I believe Dec. 7 will be a night to remember.”
“We’ve hosted some great fights at Barclays Center in our first year, but this one is different – this fight is about two Brooklyn-born-and-raised fighters proudly representing their respective neighborhoods,” said Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. “Paulie and Zab are pros at captivating audiences with their big personalities and boxing skills. We are delighted that they will once again step into Brooklyn’s most celebrated ring for what is sure to be another memorable night of boxing at Barclays Center.”
“Highly competitive, hard-fought, exciting fights have been the hallmark of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING all year long, and the December 7 card is no different,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “If you want tune-ups, appearance fights or mismatches, then look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for evenly matched, meaningful fights featuring four of the most skilled boxers in any division, then the December 7 edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a can’t-miss.”
In the 12-round co-main event, the WBA Super Welterweight Championship is on the line as interim titleholder Erislandy Lara battles former champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout. The Cuban star, Lara, is coming off a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate in his 10th -round title-winning stoppage of Alfredo Angulo in June, but the gifted Trout is hungrier than ever to regain his world title. Additionally, 2012 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne, who will be featured at Barclays Center for the fifth time in his professional career, will face an opponent to be determined.
“This is a great matchup with Austin Trout and I respect his skills in the ring,” said Lara. “He knows the art of boxing like I do, and the fans will see the sport at its highest level when we fight.”
“It’s only been a few months, but I already miss being called ‘champ,'” said Trout. “So I’d like to thank Lara, Golden Boy, and the WBA for this opportunity to get my belt back and I will get it back this December.”
“Barclays Center has truly become my second home,” said Browne. “Having the opportunity to fight there more times than any one else is an honor. I look forward to making another appearance there on Dec. 7.”
Judah vs. Malignaggi is a 12-round welterweight fight taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions’ sponsors Corona and AT&T. The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). In the co-featured bout, Erislandy Lara defends his interim WBA Super Welterweight Championship in a 12-round fight against Austin “No Doubt” Trout. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).