Media descended upon Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York to watch Danny ‘Swift’ Garcia and Paulie ‘The Magic Man’ Malignaggi train before their Saturday night bout at Barclay’s Center.
Both fighters are mentally focused and explained their newfound state of clarity to the media. For Danny Garcia, who publicly stated his lack of concern about Malignaggi going into Saturday, his confidence is at an all-time high since making 147 lbs.
“You’re going to see a lot more energy in the ring. You’ll see a smarter fighter. I’ll have more agility and we’re going to go in there to get the job done. We’re just working hard. At the end of the day it’s about being 100 percent prepared. I did everything right this camp and I’m ready. The game plan is to go in there and be Danny Garcia and be spectacular. I don’t know which Paulie to expect but I’m prepared for any version of him we see. I’m sparring a lot of guys who move and guys who come forward so I’m ready for anything”
He then added:
“There’s no pressure but I’m looking forward to an excellent performance. I’m ready to fight today if the fight was today. I feel faster at 147. I won’t be flat-footed in there. You’re going to see it all on Saturday”
While Garcia’s confidence comes from the newfound energy that bulking up has provided him, Paulie Malignaggi is coming in with a chip on his shoulder.
“To be a two-time world champion you need to be able to do more than just jab and move. My IQ and my overall boxing ability and skillset make me the fighter that I am today. I don’t think Danny is overlooking me but I feel that the fans and the media are. I love challenges and I love things that motivate me. I wake up in the morning saying this is hard, but I know I can do it.The bigger the challenge the more excited I am. It brings the best out of me. I have fought some of the greatest fighters of our time. There’s no reason I would stop now.”
Time away from fighting has caused the sense of doubt that Malignaggi is hinting at, a victory against the undefeated Garcia could easily end all of that.