Paulie Malignaggi has announced that his days as a junior welterweight are over.
The former titlist made the announcement yesterday via Twitter that making the weight had become too difficult for his body. The Brooklyn technician is currently shooting a new mob movie and plans to host his next fight in his birth country of Italy.
“Everyone, I am going to continue to fight, I’m moving up to 147,” Malignaggi said. “Right now I’m filming a new movie. I’ll probably take a tune up, then after I’ll weigh my options. Not jumping the gun right now.”
Before this year, the welterweight division was universally touted as the best division in boxing with fighters such as Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito, Andre Berto and Manny Pacquiao. In 2010, several are those fighters have moved on to new divisions, leaving several young, unknown competitors like Vyacheslav Senchenko (WBA) and Jan Zaveck (IBF) as titlists. For that reason, Malignaggi believes welterweight is now a wide open division.
“[We] will see what welterweight has to offer, some good competition,” Maligaggi explained. “I couldn’t make 140 no more, that means I’m getting old.”
Malignaggi also took the opportunity to make amends with Amir Khan, a fighter he relentlessly chastised leading up to with May WBA title match. The Brooklynite even went as far as to sell shirts on his website titled “A Mere Con.”
Khan dominated their fight and TKO’d Malignaggi in the 11th round. The lopsided loss appears to have ended any ill will, as both men had nothing but encouraging words for each other yesterday.
“How’s it going, bro? Hope everything’s cool, good luck with your movie. Respect,” Khan tweeted.
“Doing great, thanks for the love,” Malignaggi returned. “Hope all is well with you my man. Any movie roles for us in London? New boxing action stars [laughs]?”
At press time, Paulie Maglignaggi does not have a set date to return to the ring.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 
Wow….def can’t wait to hear updates on that new movie of paulies! I think he’d make a great actor cuz he had sooo much pisaz in the ring….that was an awesome fight btwn the two n I thought there was much respect btwn them both n it’s great to hear their in good graces….where can I get one of those shirts! Lol can’t wait to see both of again….either in the ring or on screen lol
haha good to see they are cool… paulies movie sounds intresting, defo got a gotti boy aura about him lol