'Magic Man' wants to expose Hitman's flaws

Updated 11.32 Wed Jul 11 2007

Keywords: Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, boxing, sport

Paulie Malignaggi has set his sights on fighting Ricky Hatton.

And the so-called 26-year-old 'Magic Man' from New York is vowing to expose "a lot of flaws" in the Manchester Hitman's make-up.

"People are mesmerised by him. But he has a lot of flaws I'll expose" - Paulie Malignaggi

Hatton is looking to round off his career in the ring with a number of 'super fights' after his crushing fourth-round win over Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas last month saw him pick up the IBO world light-welterweight crown.

And Malignaggi wants to become the man to end Hatton's unbeaten record, telling reporters: "I want to fight Hatton in the United States - Madison Square Garden or Atlantic City. I want to make this happen.

"Hatton's the best in the light-welterweight division and one of the top two or three most popular fighters in the world.

"People are mesmerised by him. But he has a lot of flaws I'll expose. Louie (Collazo) exposed him. He's a solid fighter who sent Hatton back to junior welterweight."

He continued: "If he wants to fight the best in his weight class, he should fight me, and he hasn't fought a sharpshooter like Paulie Malignaggi.

"He also cuts easily. I've proven to be a good, tough fighter. Not only will have his hands full with me, he'll get his first loss."