Hearn had explained that Joshua’s contract currently requires the fight to take place in Britain, while acknowledging other locations such as Croke Park and the United States had been discussed. He also described Joshua-Fury as “the biggest fight in the history of our country.”
Malignaggi disagreed.
“For me, as an American, I think it has to be in the UK. I love the UK atmosphere when there’s huge UK fights. I don’t see how you can 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 biggest fight in British history only because they’re not in their primes. If they were in their primes, yes,” said Malignaggi. “Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno fought for the heavyweight championship. They were in their primes.”
Malignaggi argued that timing matters just as much as the names involved. While Joshua and Fury remain two of Britain’s biggest boxing attractions, he believes the years of delays have reduced the significance of the contest.
“It’s an amazing fight. It’s a fight everybody will want to watch, but I don’t think it’s the biggest fight because there’s no heavyweight title on the line. They’re not in 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 wants to see Joshua’s performance before making a prediction on the superfight.
“A year ago I would have said Fury wins it. Now I want to see what Joshua has on July 25 before I make a prediction. I need to see what kind of Joshua I see because the Jake Paul fight really didn’t show me anything,” said Malignaggi.
The debate 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 if, in his view, it can no longer be considered the biggest fight the country has ever produced.
