The parting of ways between former world champion Paulie Malignaggi and Showtime Boxing was dismayed by loyal fans of the Italian-American this week.
Malignaggi was ousted from his position as a TV analyst due to comments made during an interview with UK-based YouTubers.
WBN released part of the transcript for the conversation, which several other media outlets highlighted.
Why did Paulie Malignaggi leave Showtime?
It’s been brought to light that much of that chat wasn’t addressed by the mainstream and is a significant factor in why Malignaggi was released.
Showtime also reportedly asked Malignaggi to make an official apology. After he refused, that’s when Showtime reacted.
The far more controversial portion of the 39-year-old’s views went like this (skip to eight minutes on the video clip):
“I try not to join in the race conversations. This is one of the clear examples of why I don’t believe there is racial oppression in 2020 or this century,” revealed Malignaggi.
“I believe there has been, sure. But I don’t think there is racial oppression today. I believe it’s all made up. I think that it is exaggerated.
“This is exactly one of the reasons why. The fact that a Black fighter can say that not pay any price financially. But if a White fighter said that about any Black fighters, he’d probably lose his TV contract. And probably TV networks wouldn’t touch him, you know.
“I won’t tell you that it’s a double standard. But I’ll tell you that it proves that the whole hypothesis of racial oppression is way above and exaggerated in this century, you know.
“I don’t think this century has given us anything aside from any situations people want t to nitpick, you know.”
Sky Sports
Those statements give a clearer indication of where Showtime is coming from despite questions from fans about why Malignaggi was let go.
It’s now a question of who takes his place in the Showtime spotlight also whether Sky Sports in the UK will act similarly.
Sky Sports also employ Malignaggi for their transatlantic events. Head of Boxing Adam Smith mentioned Malignaggi three times in Saturday night’s broadcast from Eddie Hearn’s garden.
Smith did not comment on Showtime’s actions. He merely gave a shout-out to Malignaggi during Sam Eggington vs Ted Cheeseman.
It remains to be seen where Paulie Malignaggi goes from here. The former two-weight world title-holder is yet to release any statement.
WBN Editor Phil Jay has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews, Instagram, and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
