Amir Khan Outclassed Paulie Malignaggi to Defend World Title in Style

NEW YORK: After all the controversies regarding his work permit for USA, Pakistani origin British boxer Amir Khan made an impressive and delightful debut in the US as he defended his World Champion title successfully by beating fragile Paulie Malignaggi after 11 one-sided rounds.

Amir was on top of his game right from the opening bell and never allowed his opponent to dictate terms. Malignaggi resistence came to end in the 11^th round by referee as he declared Amir Khan as the winner of WBA Super Lighweight World Championship.

It wasn't enough for Freddie Roach that Amir Khan beat, batter and unequivocally outbox Paulie Malignaggi at Madison Square Garden last Saturday night. Roach wanted more. So when Khan settled onto his stool after the 10th round, comfortably ahead on the judge's scorecards, Roach delivered a message to his young pupil.

"He said, 'Send a statement to the world,' Khan said. "Go out and finish this guy off."

Malignaggi deserved to be saved far more than he had been worthy to challenge Khan for the World Boxing Association Light-Welterweight Title, which is not to say it was a callous mismatch. It was simply a great bit of business to get Khan established in the US in a fight screened on HBO, which remains the sport’s wealthiest backers.

Promoter Lou DiBella also praised Amir Khan for his wonderful fight and said, “Paulie showed that he has balls the size of basketballs, but he wasn’t fast enough, he wasn’t big enough and he wasn’t strong enough. Amir Khan is a damn good fighter. Better than I thought.”