Undefeated Malignaggi Earns Impressive 10-Round Decision Over Cano

18.06.04 – In the toughest fight of his young career, promising unbeaten junior welterweight contender Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (photo: Tom Casino/Showtime) overcame a badly injured right hand and the determined effort of Ramiro Cano to register an impressive 10-round unanimous decision victory Thursday on SHOWTIME. In the “ShoBox: The New Generation” co-feature, junior middleweight Sechew “Iron Horse” Powell remained undefeated by eking out an unpopular eight-round split decision over hard-luck Grady “BB” Brewer. The doubleheader, which took place at an outdoor arena at Harrah’s Casino, was promoted by DiBella Entertainment and aired at 11:43 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Due to extreme heat which caused a power outage, the telecast began 43 minutes after it was scheduled to begin. It was the 45th fight show in the popular “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001.

Malignaggi (18-0, 5 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., pitched a near shutout on the three judges’ scorecards, despite hurting his right hand in the second or third round. One of boxing’s most colorful and charismatic, young up-and-comers, the talented, speedy Malignaggi won by the scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91. He did what he does best, which is throw lighting-quick combinations while working off the jab. The 2001 United States National Amateur Champion at 132 pounds, the popular Malignaggi has not come close to losing since turning pro on July 7, 2001.

Cano (18-2, 14 KOs), of Houston, by way of Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico, kept the pressure on throughout and never allowed Malignaggi many moments to relax or showboat. The well-conditioned southpaw performed well and landed his fair of clean shots, but he could not quite keep up the winner, who was too busy and too good. Cano, who was victorious in his initial 17 fights after turning pro on Jan. 29, 2002, lost for the second time in three outings.

Powell (13-0, 9 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., got floored and was almost knocked out in the fifth round, but the highly regarded southpaw managed to survive the round to triumph by the narrowest of margins: 76-75 twice and 75-76. 5. A stablemate of Malignaggi, Powell had won four consecutive bouts by knockout (each inside of two rounds).

Brewer (17-9, 11 KOs), of Lawton, Okla., dropped Powell in the fifth round with a left hook followed by a right hand, but he could not quite finish him off. As expected, Brewer (photo: Tom Casino/Showtime) never quit coming forward and gave his best, but it was not enough to prevent him from having a three-fight winning streak end. An unlucky loser Thursday night, the hard-trying boxer-puncher almost always is matched tough.. Including Powell, Brewer has been pitted against 22 boxers with a winning record, including nine who entered the ring unbeaten and 20 with three or less losses. Brewer’s biggest victory came on a third-round TKO over previously undefeated Anthony “The Messenger” Thompson on Feb. 28, 2004.

“ShoBox: The New Generation” features up-and-coming prospects determined to make a mark and eventually fight for a chance at a world title. The best of the new generation of hungry, young boxers will have an opportunity to showcase their talent and heart as they battle each other in competitive fights in front of a national television audience. “ShoBox: The New Generation” is pure, basic boxing, reminiscent of the golden days of the sport.

Nick Charles called Thursday’s action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of the telecast was Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.

The next “ShoBox” telecast is Thursday, July 1, on SHOWTIME. Undefeated Adrian Mora (11-0, 7 KOs) faces former North American Boxing Federation (NABF) and FECARBOX lightweight champion Steve Quinonez (28-7-1, nine KOs) in the 10-round main event. In the co-feature from the Palace Indian Gaming Center in Lemoore, Calif., Irving Garcia (9-1, five KOs) opposes George Armenta (11-3, 10 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight bout. Goossen Tutor Promotions will stage the doubleheader.

For information on “ShoBox: The New Generation” and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http:www.sho.com/boxing.