BoxingScene Today for July 3, 2026 – The Magic Man, Paulie Malignaggi was in studio today to verbally spar with Chris Algieri and Coach Robert Garcia about a host of topics and, in true BoxingScene Today style, none of the three were sparing with their opinions.
After some introductory back-and-forth, the gang begins by talking about WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason’s last-round stoppage over Albert Bell over the weekend and how it won’t be remembered in history as the tough fight it actually was.
“When they mentioned that Bell was the replacement (for original Mason foe Joe Cordina, who had visa problems), I knew it was not going to be easy for Abdullah Mason,” said Coach Garcia.
Garcia steadfastly maintained throughout fight week that Mason vs. Bell could quite possibly end up an upset, and gave the young Mason credit for avoiding disaster in the face of adversity.
“Mason is a great fighter, and he honestly showed a lot at his young age because he came back strong at the end and actually won by knockout.”
The trio then talk about WBC featherweight boss Bruce Carrington’s somewhat shaky successful defense against ProBoxTV alumnus Rene Palacios via 12-round decision.
All three have complimentary things to say about both fighters, but they also agree that Carrington showed enough holes in his game to possibly attract one of the big fights he’s been clamoring for.
Next comes a mutual accord that they like the idea of former unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk choosing former champion Deontay Wilder for his “last dance” fight and even credit Wilder for seeming to come back alive in his last fight, a win over dangerous Derek Chisora.
Paulie, however, has a problem with the trend of fighters becoming “bigger than the belts” and choosing to only fight their own generation for big payout fights at the end of their careers with little world-title significance, rather than going out on their shields to establish a new, young lion.
Calling it “the old man circuit,” Malignaggi is adamant he is not a fan.
And lastly, now that two-weight and current IBF welterweight champion Liam Paro has expressed desire to next face Manny Pacquiao, Chris takes time to gloat on the fact he had predicted the move on a previous show.
“There’s a built-in backstory,” says Algieri about the fight. “Liam used to be the sparring partner for Jeff Horne when Horne fought Pacquiao. Obviously, there’s a market in Australia (for the fight) … and Liam looked susceptible enough (in his last fight for Pacquiao to feel safe facing him).
“And he’s not a big welterweight and not a big puncher,” he adds.
