Paulie Malignaggi has become a lighting rod for promoting the McGregor-Mayweather fight. Whether it was strategically planned or organically occurred, the boxer and Showtime analyst has made himself a bridge to both sides.
Notably, during a conference call on Thursday, Showtime Exec Stephen Espinoza addressed the sparring footage between Malignaggi and Conor McGregor. According to McGregor, he knocked down Malignaggi. The boxer disputes this assertion saying that photos of him on the canvas during the sparring session did not tell the story. Malignaggi says he was pushed down.
The question as to why the footage, which the UFC released to media, has not been used by Showtime for its “All Access” shoulder programming. An episode showed Malignaggi preparing for a sparring session with McGregor but the cameras did not show the actual session.
Dana White told reporters on Tuesday that he sent footage of the knockdown to Showtime but the network decided not to use it.
Espinoza stated that White was “misinformed” because Showtime worked directly with the McGregor camp. He clarified the information White sent to Showtime as “a few short clips.” Espinoza explained that the footage received seemed spliced together and was informed that they could only use it if it was shown in its entirety and not edited by Showtime. Espinoza said that the clips were not used “because it was pretty redundant repetitive stuff.”
White said he has nothing against Malignaggi and stated it was best for his health that he left the camp. In his opinion, McGregor unanimously won the sparring session he witnessed against the boxer.
Payout Perspective:
It’s hard not to think that the UFC-Showtime partnership will dissolve and lawsuits will be filed after this fight. White has had a contentious relationship with Showtime in the past back when it produced Strikeforce events. The relative smooth sailing in negotiating the fight seemed to infer that the two sides could have a working relationship. But, it appears that the sparring sessions may have opened some old wounds. The UFC sees Showtime as perhaps protecting its analyst, Malignaggi. By the way, he’ll be the one on the PPV telecast calling this fight. For Malignaggi to spar with McGregor seemed like a bad idea from the start and its stirring controversy. But, I go back and forth as to whether this is good or bad in promoting this fight. It also could be that Malignaggi is looking out for himself and perhaps setting up a future matchup with McGregor.
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