By Farid “Peril” Gasumov (Allboxing.ru)

BoxingScene has already posted a big piece of Paul Malignaggi’s reflections on his recent loss to Amir Khan and his future plans. However, there’s even more of Brooklyn native to read about. Malignaggi was contacted by Allboxing’s forum reader Farid “Peril” Gasumov not so long ago and answered a good share of questions by Allboxing users. The original story in Russian can be seen here, while below is the transcription of Peril’s interview (Note: those questions were composed by different people, not by Peril himself):

Peril: Paulie, do you behave the way you actually feel, or do you put on a show to attract more interest to the fight? Our readers would love to know if that was real Paul or a persona for the TV audience.

Malignaggi: Everyone needs to know this is the sport of boxing, you getting in a ring with someone who is trying to beat you up; you can't have too much respect for them, while you’re training, and you have to build some sort of anger towards the fighter. It's a combination of everything rolled up in a ball for the fight.

Peril:  Paul, you've expressed your opinions on the anti-doping issue and Pacquiao several times. Do you actually believe that Pacquiao uses PED's? And if he does, how is it that he is the only one that has achieved such phenomenal results? Wouldn't you yourself be interested in taking something that would substantially increase your punching power and allow you to maintain your speed despite moving up in weight?

Malignaggi: Everyone knows how I feel about this topic; I spoke my piece numerous times. I would never use anything to enhance my skills, God blessed me with the talent I have, and I build off that.  If fighters want to use PED'S that's on them, but remember you’re putting fighters’ lives at risk, when using an enhancing drug. If that's how you want to win, then so be it, but at the end of the day, it's going to be on the back of their minds that they didn't win by God-given talent.

Peril: Mayweather is known for using a painkiller to deal with his fragile hands/wrists. Do you feel that he is also using a substance/chemical that is providing him with an unfair advantage over Pacquiao?

Malignaggi:  From what the Mayweathers said that was just a rumor and Floyd doesn't use painkiller to deal with his hands.

Peril: Cannot avoid this question, man. Obviously, what is your prediction on the winner of that fight, if it ever happens?

Malignaggi: Floyd Mayweather will win if it's a fair playing field.

Peril: Paulie, what boxing style do you call your own? Would you consider yourself a spoiler? 

Malignaggi: I'm a boxer, that's my style. I use my speed and footwork.

Peril: What would you consider your own short-coming/weakness?

Malignaggi:  I wouldn't mind having more punching power, but it is what it is.

Peril: Did you ever think at fighting at a lower weight limit?

Malignaggi: I'm moving up in weight, I'm not moving down.

Peril: Which fight would you say was the toughest for you? Whose punch do you remember with the most distaste?

Malignaggi: Miguel Cotto was my toughest fight by far; no one forgets a Cotto punch, LOL. He's a great fighter.

Peril: What is your opinion on Amir Khan? Many accuse him of being a manufactured product of GBP with cherry-picked fights. Do you see a bright future for him?

Malignaggi: I respect Amir Khan, he's a good fighter, we'll see where his career goes, but hope he does well.

Peril: A lot of us, me included, believe that you could have easily gone the distance with Ricky Hatton, and that your corner was in the wrong. However, your trainer at the time, Buddy McGirt, has a reputation for questionable calls and in Russian boxing circles he is known as the omen of bad luck (most of his fighters lose the important fights). Did you know all that when you two joined forces, and what is your opinion of him as a trainer? Why is he so popular, when his track record is so far from perfect?

Malignaggi: Honestly, I went down as a fighter with him, that's in the past. I'm looking towards the future, and what's best for Paulie Malignaggi. The Hatton fight could be continued, I was fine, but that's said and done. I'm over it now, but I wish everyone the best of luck.

Peril: What are your opinions (if any) on the current state of heavyweight division; on Klitschkos' dominance and the lack of American fighters?

Malignaggi:  It needs some fighters, to help it. Once the brothers retire, I’m not sure who is going to hold the torch.

Peril: And the last but not least - some of our female readers are wondering if you have a girlfriend or a significant other. What could you tell them? (Or show them, if you chose to share a picture).

Malignaggi: Tell ladies I love them! And follow me on twitter.com/paulmalignaggi.

Peril: Thank you very much for taking the time to answer the questions, Paulie.