Cotto faces Malignaggi in crucial fight

New York:

New York City native Paulie Malignaggi will challenge WBO junior welterweight champion Miguel Cotto on Saturday night at New York's Madison Square Garden. The two fighters held a weigh-in on Friday in front of a raucous crowd loudly backing Puerto Rico's Cotto. The bout is being pitted as one of speed versus power. Malignaggi, undefeated at 21-0 with five knockouts, is arguably the quickest fighter at 140 pounds. But Cotto, 26-0 with an impressive 22 knockouts, is the most powerful fighter in the class today. Cotto weighed in Friday at 138 and a quarter pounds.