what if pauli malignaggi could dig?

We all know that pauli is a little feather fisted. However he hasn't had a bad career picking up belt along the way and pushing the likes of cotto. I was just wondering how you guys felt he would have gone if he had even half decent oomph behind his shots. Also what one thing would you change about one fighter? Would some improvements actually work as a negative for certain boxers? For example a boxer could maybe get lazy if he knew he had a big punch on him and not fight to his strengths. Cheers all

I definately think its the case whereby a fighter with a raw natural gift like speed, power or reflexes can become over reliant on it and neglect other parts of his development. But quite often its the case where it works so effectively that it stands to reason a fighter would build a gameplan around it.

I dont think Malignaggi would have a drastically different career unless we are talking about him having pretty big power as opposed to just average. Im not sure any of his losses would have been different (aside from the first Juan Diz maybe which I think was a poor decision anyway). He might have been able to do more against someone like Hatton who is very hittable and Malignaggis lack of power made it extremelly difficult to keep him off of him but would still favour Hatton to win that even if Malignaggi was not so feather fisted.

i dont think its that big a deal, im sure his boxing skills have been improved due to him needing to win rounds, and if he couldn't box as well as he can he wouldn't get in positions to throw any power punchers.

i think paulies style (fighting with such a wide stance, in and out and on the back foot) means he doesnt get the power in the shots, but if he fought differently and tried loading up on every shot then he would be less affective than normal.

paulies level of opposition also has some affect on his power, he isnt scared to take anybody on.

I agree with Manos that I can't see Malignaggi's career being all that different, I'd still have backed Cotto and Hatton to beat him but they would have had to be a touch more careful when getting inside.

I think that Khan's hand speed has somewhat hindered his development as a boxer, being able to go through domestic level opposition with zero inside game at all meant he never really learned how to box inside or develop any kind of plan B, which is now hurting him bad at world level.

The most common thing that can hurt a boxers development is raw power, when you see prospects blasting their way through the ranks they often neglect their boxing and go head hunting. Also when guys are naturally big at a weight they can become to reliant on that and then come unstuck when they move on up like Maidana and Hatton when they can't bully people as easily.

at least paulie lacks power which can be compensated with skill, there is no substitute for a poor chin.

Still the funniest thing I have seen in boxing was when he had that fanny on with his hair!!

eddyfightfan wrote:at least paulie lacks power which can be compensated with skill, there is no substitute for a poor chin.

Surely that can equally be compensated with skill?

I think if he had a bit more power he would be an elite level fighter, he has heart, a good chin, good speed and skill... But because his power is lacking fighters keep coming forward as they dont fear getting knocked out... IE Hatton.. and last Saturday ..

If had a bit more power then fighters would feel the need to box more at distance, rather pushing forward all the time. He has enough skill to deal with most fighters that do this, But when against skilled Hard punchers he usually comes up short.

Paulie is a decent fighter and a huge mouth. If he could punch he would be a decent fighter and a huge mouth. Let's not overstate his boxing ability. A lot of smoke n mirrors there too

manos de piedra wrote:

eddyfightfan wrote:at least paulie lacks power which can be compensated with skill, there is no substitute for a poor chin.

Surely that can equally be compensated with skill?

Wlad as an example. He is thought to be susceptible to big punches, but nobody in recent years has been able to land one to test that theory.

Re the OP: " Also what one thing would you change about one fighter?"

I'd give Hearns Hagler's chin.

Top 5 ATG if he had it. Would have wins over Leonard at WW and Hagler at MW. Bonafide title holder at WW, LMW, MW, SMW and LHW. If you allow WBU and IBO then he'd a 6 weight world champ by including CW.

bhb001 wrote:

manos de piedra wrote:

eddyfightfan wrote:at least paulie lacks power which can be compensated with skill, there is no substitute for a poor chin.

Surely that can equally be compensated with skill?

Wlad as an example. He is thought to be susceptible to big punches, but nobody in recent years has been able to land one to test that theory.

paulie isnt blessed with with a huge reach and weight advantages over most opponents.

also skill does compensate it to a degree, but you cant expect to get through 12 rounds without getting hit at some point unless your mayweather or someone similiar, and even then a good fighter will still land some shot.

Seanusarrilius wrote:Paulie is a decent fighter and a huge mouth. If he could punch he would be a decent fighter and a huge mouth. Let's not overstate his boxing ability. A lot of smoke n mirrors there too

Over rated?.. hmm a two time champ, gave Cotto a difficult fight.. and he is pretty much seen as a stepping stone to world level. I think the fact he does it all with very little power in his punches underlines his boxing ability is extremely good... he relys completely on movement & hand speed with quick combinations that he can also pull off on the back foot... if he could hurt people more it would make them take a round off here and there and be a bit more hesitant about steaming in as much, I am convinced he would be a major operator.