By Victor Salazar

Brooklyn, New York- High praise was given from Brooklyn fighter Paulie Malignaggi (33-7, 7 KO’s) after his defeat to Philadelphia’s Danny Garcia (31-0, 18 KO’s) on Saturday night at the Barclays Center. Malignaggi feels that Garcia will become a better fighter from the experience of their encounter.

“I think this is the fight that’s going to make Danny better,” Malignaggi said. “He made adjustments. I was trying to win the jab war. There was a moment middle of the fight. I had him missing and I didn’t have to step back anymore. I said to myself ‘If I can keep doing this I don’t have to waste any energy.’ But he adjusted, he started jabbing at my shoulder and at my chest. He disrupted my timing, he made my jab shoulder really sore, and I was trying to make him pay for jabbing with me, coming over the top with right hands. His hard jabs rocked back my momentum for my counter right hand."

Malignaggi feels that Garcia was forced to think and isn’t really given credit for being a smart fighter. But dealing with a pesky fighter like himself. Malignaggi has been in with big punchers like a Miguel Cotto and Ricky Hatton. He rates Garcia’s power as better than above average.

“He had pretty good power,” stated Malignaggi. “He’s not the hardest puncher I fought but he definitely carried his power well to 147. How that power is going to effect the true physical welterweights? I’m not sure. I fought a lot of punchers in my career and Danny’s power is right up there. Guys like Cotto had like freakish power I don’t know whether to cry or got mad when he hit. He’s got some solid power. He’s not as wild as people think. He’s a smarter fighter than given credit for. His power is a level above average, definitely really solid.”

Malignaggi says if it’s his swan song, then it isn’t a bad way to go even if it is on a loss.

“When I beat Zab Judah in 2013, I had no idea it’d be my last win. I lost 3 of my last 4 fights but I didn’t fight a single slouch there. I’m 1-3 in my last 4 but it was like a murderer’s row. I enjoy sharing the ring with these top guys. I got some cool memories even if they were painful memories like tonight.”