Malignaggi, Powell & Berto training in FLA for NY show

Press Release: DiBella Entertainment’s Triple Threat – Paulie Malignaggi, Sechew Powell and Andre Berto – are all training in the tropical Florida climate for three big HBO Boxing After Dark matches on February 17. Malignaggi and Powell, the Brooklyn duo, are both holding training camp in Vero Beach, Florida. Malignaggi is under the tutelage of Buddy McGirt, Sr, while Powell is being trained by both McGirt, Sr. and Al Mitchell. Meanwhile, Berto is in his hometown of Winter Haven readying in earnest at the Winter Haven PAL with his trainer Tony Morgan.

“It’s much better training in Florida, you beat the cold, and it’s nice to get up in the morning,” says “The Magic Man” Malignaggi.

“I am sparring, swimming, and sprinting, we have a full package,” he adds. “I am just predicting a Paulie Malignaggi victory, in a fight that I look good and show that I am back here to stay.”

Said Berto: “Weather’s been okay but it’s actually a little cool, Camp going real well. I am doing a lot of hard sparring, we spar hard all the time, 12 -13 rounds every other day. I am just predicting a good fight, I am preparing to go ten and win.”

“Training is going very well down here. Florida is great because of the weather, which allows me to keep my weight. Overall it is a quiet and relaxing place with no distractions and I am extremely focused on the upcoming fight,” said “Iron Horse” Powell.

Powell added “I am now working with a strength and conditioning coach doing interval running, medicine ball work and calisthenics. It is helping me to get in great shape and my body is harder and I am stronger than ever before.”

As for the Super Bowl, which will be contested in Miami not far from DiBella’s Sunshine Boys, Paulie and Andre pick the Colts, while Sechew tabs the Bears. “I like Peyton, and I think the Colts will win the Super Bowl,” says Malignaggi. Berto also chimes in with an Indianapolis victory: “The Colts will win by at least two touchdowns.” Outnumbered 2 to 1 Powell favors the Bears, adding “the Bears defense is very strong and will overwhelm the Colts offense.”

The tripleheader will feature Brooklyn lightweight Malignaggi (21-1, 5 KO’s), Brooklyn junior middleweight Powell (20-1, 12 KO’s); and undefeated welterweight Berto (16-0, 14 KO’s) on Saturday night, February 17, at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. HBO Sports will televise all three fights on its popular Boxing After Dark series beginning at 9:45 PM/ET. 

Malignaggi will square off against Edner "Cherry Bomb" Cherry (21-4-2,10 KO's) of Wauchula, Florida; Powell faces Ishe "Sugar Shay" Smith (18-1, 8 KO's) of Las Vegas, NV, and, as first reported on Boxingtalk, unbeaten Berto tangles against Norberto Bravo.

Malignaggi returns to the ring for the first time since his courageous battle against world champion Miguel Cotto on June 10th, going the distance in a 12 round war at Madison Square Garden in his quest for the WBO Light Welterweight Title. Despite the first setback of his career, Malignaggi proved to be a true ring warrior and deserving of the title opportunity.

Powell had rattled off 20 straight pro victories before tasting defeat for the first time, losing a unanimous decision against the former World Champion Kassim Ouma at Madison Square Garden on August 5th. The "Iron Horse" from Brooklyn looks to get back on the winning track at the Hammerstein.

Undefeated 2004 Olympian Andre Berto made his HBO World Championship Boxing debut against Miguel Figueroa on December 9th, dispensing the ring veteran with a sixth round TKO victory. Berto has been nothing short of sensational in his pro career, as he looks to extend his unbeaten string to 17 straight at the Hammerstein. Berto possesses all of the qualities of a boxing superstar: determination, hard work ethic, boxing skills, knockout power and charisma to take him to the championship level.

Tickets are available by calling DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577.