"You know who was the first guy to beat up Paulie Malignaggi? Me!" said an older acquaintance of mine at Gleasons Gym. "He came in here when he was 15 and they asked me to spar with him. And I get in and he starts belting me. This 15-year-old kid, belting me! So I,"-and here, he pantomimes crouching down and throwing huge body hooks-"bam, bam, and I cracked his rib. Yeah, I cracked his rib, Paulie Malignaggi."

This anecdote is related simply to illustrate the fact that Paulie Malignaggi is the type of guy who inspires others to want to beat him up. He is boxing's greatest Guido; he [...]