Hearn had explained that Joshua’s contract currently requires the fight to happen in Britain, while acknowledging other locations comparable to Croke Park and the US had been discussed. He also described Joshua-Fury as “the largest fight within the history of our country.”
Malignaggi disagreed.
“For me, as an American, I believe it must be within the UK. I like the UK atmosphere when there’s huge UK fights. I don’t see how you may make it anywhere else,” said Paulie to talkSPORT Boxing.
He then explained why he believes Hearn’s description goes too far.
“I do disagree with him that it’s the largest fight in British history only because they’re not of their primes. In the event that they were of their primes, yes,” said Malignaggi. “Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno fought for the heavyweight championship. They were of their primes.”
Malignaggi argued that timing matters just as much because the names involved. While Joshua and Fury remain two of Britain’s biggest boxing attractions, he believes the years of delays have reduced the importance of the competition.
“It’s a tremendous fight. It’s a fight everybody will want to look at, but I don’t think it’s the largest fight because there’s no heavyweight title on the road. They’re not of their primes anymore,” said Malignaggi.
Joshua returns to the ring on July 25 against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia, while Fury fought last April, beating Arslanbek Makhmudov. Malignaggi said he desires to see Joshua’s performance before making a prediction on the superfight.
“A 12 months ago I might have said Fury wins it. Now I need to see what Joshua has on July 25 before I make a prediction. I would like to see what form of Joshua I see since the Jake Paul fight really didn’t show me anything,” said Malignaggi.
The talk over where Joshua and Fury should meet continues, but Malignaggi believes one thing is beyond dispute: if the fight finally happens, the atmosphere belongs in a British stadium, even when, in his view, it may now not be considered the largest fight the country has ever produced.
