Former world champion Paulie Malignaggi made a sensational return to competitive fighting, edging Tyler Goodjohn via split decision in a five-round bare-knuckle bout at Planet Ice Leeds on Saturday night.
The 44-year-old Brooklyn native showcased his trademark footwork and tactical precision in the unique triangle-shaped BKB ring, overcoming adversity to secure the win.
Blinded and Battle-Scarred
The fight took a dramatic turn early when Malignaggi absorbed a nasty eye poke, leaving him nearly blind in his right eye. He also suffered severely swollen hands — a persistent issue that blighted his last bare-knuckle fight in 2019 against Artem Lobov. Despite these setbacks, Malignaggi’s disciplined approach and high-volume striking earned him the nod from the judges, with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 47-48.
“I had to tough it out. Tyler was taking no prisoners tonight. I started out good, but he started coming on very, very strong. After that eye poke, I’m still blind in this [right] eye. Maybe that’s why I got cut. I finished the fight with one eye. I could just see shadows,” Malignaggi said after having his arm raised.
Training Pays Off
“We worked a lot. We did a lot of not just strength training, but nervous system training based on motion and strength to prepare for camp and boxing. At my age, I didn’t want to go back into boxing. That was a really big asset for me, because it prepared me for the rhythm, prepared my core, and when I started boxing, really allowed me to get the best out of myself.”
“I’m here for a good time, not a long time. I want to get a title shot after this with BKB. Nothing satisfies me more than accomplishment. It is bigger than money. I made weight a lot easier than I anticipated. With a bit more push, I could box at 147. I want to get the belt at 154, then become champion at 147.”
Goodjohn, a seasoned bare-knuckle fighter from Britain with a 5-4 (1 KO) record, brought relentless pressure and landed several heavy shots, but couldn’t match Malignaggi’s technical finesse. Both fighters added flair, with Malignaggi taunting like a matador and Goodjohn lounging on the ropes with a grin.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights.
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