“I thought I would make so much money and be the next Ray Leonard. Maybe it was farfetched, but I thought I could be a megastar. I could fight, and I had a lot of crossover appeal that was necessary to promote myself. I thought I'd make a ton of money and live off of it the rest of my life.”

Italian-American former professional boxer

Paulie Malignaggi is an Italian-American former professional boxer, active from 2001 to 2017. He is known for winning world titles in two weight divisions and for his later work as a boxing commentator and analyst. Malignaggi held the IBF junior welterweight title from 2007 to 2008 and the WBA welterweight title from 2012 to 2013. In the ring, he was noted for his hand speed, boxing skill, athleticism, and durable chin. He now works in boxing media, including BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing and ProBox TV alongside Mike Goldberg.