Malignaggi Gets The Nod

In a fight that went the distance Paulie Malignaggi, did just enough to edged out Herman Ngoudjo in defense of his IBF junior welterweight title. The fight was very close all the way through, as Malignaggi used a lightning quick jab and good ring generalship to off set the attack of Ngoudjo. I was not surprised to see that Ngoudjo was able to hurt Malignaggi on several different occasions landing the overhand right. Ngoudjo was not able to land his left hook or get his body attack going consistently enough to slow down the elusive Malignaggi. Malignaggi was seriously hurt by a huge right hand and almost looked as it was going to be a short night. The Brooklynite bit down on his mouth piece and fought back, it was just that he was not able to hurt Ngoudjo enough to get his respect that is one reason why Ngoudjo was stalking so aggressively.

The night's co-feature bout pitted former two-time light heavyweight world champion Glen Johnson taking on Colombian native Hugo Pineda. Johnson came out slugging from round one and delighted the crowd with his workmanlike effort. Continually banging away at the bigger southpaw, Johnson had his foe all bruised up and slowing down by round four of their scheduled ten round bout.

Johnson, looking to impress as an April 12th date with WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson is in the works, drove Pineda all around the ring and had the staggering back to his corner at the end of round 5. More brutal work by Johnson followed as the Florida resident pounded away to the head and body with both hands. Unbelievably Pineda lasted until late into the seventh round before the game fighter finally hit the canvas. Amazingly he survived the seventh but did not get out of the eight, as the 39 year old Johnson fought with a work rate much suited for a 20 year old.

Former IBF Jr. Welterweight Champion Lovemore N'duo opened the seven-bout fightcard with a dominating 7th round technical knockout win over Rafael Ortiz, out of Lebanon, Oregon.

N'duo, who lost his title to current belt holder Malignaggi in a one-sided boxing clinic (6/16/2007 UD 12), dropped the overmatched Ortiz with a left hook to the body, and referee David Fields waved off the mismatch at 2:14. N'duo, who has a contracted rematch set with Malignaggi and hopes that he would honor it.