Malignaggi Quits as McGregor's Sparring Partner After Photo LeakFormer two division world champion Paulie Malignaggi has had enough with UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
Malignaggi, who retired earlier this year, was hired by McGregor to serve as a sparring partner in his ongoing training camp for the upcoming boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. (49-0, 26 KOs).
But on Thursday, controversy erupted after several photos from their most recent sparring session, which took place on Wednesday, began to surface on the social networks.
http://i65.tinypic.com/sookly.jpgIf you focus only on the photos, it would appear that Malignaggi was knocked down and given a proper beating during the spar.
But Malignaggi claims the photo where he was down on the mat - was actually the result of a push. He also says McGregor's team released selective photos to create the appearance that McGregor had dominated their sparring session.
Malignaggi confirmed to ESPN that he's quitting McGregor camp and is likely flying back home to New York.
"I wanted to be part of this event, but I didn't want to become the story and that's what this has turned into," Malignaggi told ESPN. "I won't release any information about his game plan or what he's working on -- I wouldn't do that. But this has become a fiasco. It's a circus. And I do want that sparring video released. The UFC's PI definitely has that video. I understand it can't come out now, but Conor, if you have any balls, release what really happened."
"There was a pushdown yesterday. Conor on the inside, he can get a little rough. He shoved me down, you know, but no knockdowns. Obviously, 12 rounds, you're gonna see there's a mark on my face. Very, very hard work for both of us. I was starting to get in a groove in the middle rounds, starting to land some good shots. Conor really came on strong in the end. It was back and forth."
McGregor will make his pro boxing debut against Mayweather, who returns from a two year retirement, on August 26th from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
http://www.boxingscene.com/malignaggi-quits-mcgregors-sparring-partner-photo-leak--119151 lol this is amazing. McGregor is great at playing mind games. He wants to fool people into thinking he is beating up former boxing champions in sparring, yet, he hasn't released a single minute of footage of actual boxing. Honestly I think this is bullshit.
He must be pissed. If you go to spar someone, you don't want any leaks, that is a bitch ass move, but in mind warfare anything goes, Conor will use anything he can, this is another one of his antics.
I doubt Mayweather is faced at anything, too much experience and skill. I can't wait for this fight, it's going to be fun.
