Before he became the “Magic Man,” Paulie Malignaggi was an angry teenager looking for direction. Finding boxing gave him discipline, confidence, and something he didn’t want to lose.
Paulie joins Popeye Ray and retired referee Jack Reiss on Third Man in the Ring to share the experiences that shaped him, from his Italian family roots and growing up in Brooklyn to a difficult home life, street fights, and his first days at Gleason’s Gym.
The conversation also covers his fight with Miguel Cotto, memories of New York after 9/11, and being in the crowd for Bernard Hopkins vs. Félix Trinidad. Paulie and Jack then compare a fighter’s perspective with a referee’s, discussing fouls, fighter safety, judging, and when an official needs to step in.
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