Former two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi has sent shockwaves through the boxing world by admitting he would consider coming out of retirement for two specific scenarios that would get his competitive juices flowing again.
The outspoken boxing analyst, now 43, hasn't fought professionally since 2017 but maintains he's kept himself in remarkable shape and could answer the call for the right opportunity.
The Grudge Match: McGregor Rematch
"There's one fight that would definitely bring me back - Conor McGregor," Malignaggi revealed in an exclusive interview. The bad blood between the pair remains fresh years after their infamous sparring session ahead of McGregor's boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather.
Malignaggi served as McGregor's sparring partner in 2017, but their relationship spectacularly imploded when the UFC star released footage showing Malignaggi being knocked down. The former champion has always maintained the context was misleading and the knockdown was pushed.
"That chapter never felt properly closed for me," Malignaggi confessed. "The public saw what he wanted them to see from those sparring sessions. I'd love the chance to settle it properly in a real fight with legitimate rules."
The Modern Payday: YouTube Boxing
In a surprising admission, Malignaggi also expressed interest in joining the lucrative YouTube boxing circuit that has taken combat sports by storm.
"I watch these YouTube fights and think, 'I could still do this at a high level,'" he said. "The money these guys are making is incredible, and let's be honest, I could provide real boxing credibility to that scene."
The Magic Man didn't name specific influencers but suggested he'd be open to facing any of the major names in the space for the right financial package.
Staying Ready for the Call
Despite being five years removed from his last professional bout, Malignaggi insists he hasn't let his fitness slide.
"I still train regularly, I'm in good shape," he confirmed. "The timing would need to be right, and the offer would need to make sense, but physically I believe I could compete again."
Malignaggi retired with a 36-8 record, having held the WBA welterweight title and IBF light-welterweight title during his distinguished 16-year career. His comeback would represent one of the most unexpected returns in recent boxing memory.
Whether either scenario materialises remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Paulie Malignaggi isn't quite ready to close the book on his fighting career just yet.
