Broner to challenge Malignaggi

Lightweight champion Adrien Broner, a rapidly rising star from Cincinnati, will move up two weight classes to challenge Paulie Malignaggi for his welterweight championship June 22 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (on Showtime), Golden Boy Promotions announced Thursday.

Broner won a junior lightweight title in November 2011, then won a lightweight title this past November. It would not be surprising to soon see him atop respected pound-for-pound polls. He’s that good.

“Paulette better be in some shape,” the trash-talking Broner said. “On June 22, I will be a three-time world champion in three weight classes at just 23 years old.”

Broner is 26-0 with 22 knockouts.

The light-hitting Malignaggi, of Brooklyn, is stoked about being the main event in his hometown.

“This fight was the main motivation for winning my second world championship last year,” said Malignaggi, a former junior welterweight champion. “I wanted to be a huge main event at Barclays Center. This is a blockbuster event and I can’t wait to make a successful title defense in Brooklyn, where my roots are.”

Malignaggi, 32, is 32-4 with just seven knockouts.

 

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