Paulie Malignaggi, who had been hired as Conor McGregor’s training partner, told media on Wednesday that he would not continue training and that he was likely to return home after pictures appeared on Thursday. These shots showed MvGregor in an advantageous position during a 12-round session.
Former professional boxer was unhappy with the image projected by these all photos. He believes he was unfairly represented, as if he had been dominated by McGregor during their sparring session.
Malignaggi, former world champion had trained twice with the Irish before the super fight on August 26 against Floyd Mayweather. He took to twitter to quite his sparring session.
“I just wanted to clear the air,” Malignaggi wrote. “I’m leaving the McGregor training camp today. I came with the best intentions and intended to help out. Just the chance to be part of such a big event in this capacity excited me.
In his statement issued Friday, he insisted on a mutual respect inside the ring, but that his decision is based on different outside the ring.
“I believe Conor and I have a mutual respect in the ring, earned from each other with some good work over 2 sparring sessions.” Malignaggi wrote.
“It’s some of the stuff outside the ring and some ways some things were handled in training camp that I didn’t agree with that made me come to this decision.
“It’s not my place to dictate terms in a training camp that is not mine, but it’s my place to decide if I want to be part of it. I will not give away anything tactical that I saw in 2 sparring sessions with Conor.” he added.
Conor McGregor is going to face Floyd Maywether on this August 26. (Source:www.dailyexpress.co.uk)
Malignaggi, who is an American boxing commentator had praised for McGregor, describing the UFC lightweight champions as getting better and better.
“I wish team McGregor well in the rest of their preparations and look forward to being back in Vegas to work fight week on Showtime.” he wrote.
McGregor reportedly told another of his training partners, Tiernan Bradley, that he did not consider Malignaggi to be a mere partner.
Veteran referee Joe Cortez, who was hired to officiate sparring sessions, told of a tight fight, where he had to intervene several times to separate the two fighters during at training camp.
