Malignaggi to Fight Bracero for ‘Brooklyn’s Championship’ on Showtime Network July 30

Former two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi isn’t quite yet ready for retired life. The popular boxer will climb into the ring at least one more time when he takes on Gabriel Bracero on July 30.

Their bout will be for the “Brooklyn World Championship,” a title that was created back in 2013 when Malignaggi opposed fellow Brooklynite Zab Judah. Malignaggi won that fight by unanimous decision and now the Italian-American will defend his crown against Bracero at Barclays Center.

“This fight is going to have two Brooklynites, finally meeting inside the ring, in a really exciting matchup,” said Bracero. “What better way to highlight that, then having the Brooklyn's World Championship Belt on the line. Growing up in Brooklyn is what has made me the man and the fighter that I am today. I respect Paulie for giving me this opportunity, for putting his belt on the line and everything he's done in his career. On July 30 though, that belt is coming home with me. I will be the new champion of Brooklyn.”

Bracero (24-2, 5 KOs) is coming off a terrific one-punch knockout of rival Danny O’Connor last October. He already holds wins over veterans Dmitry Salita and Pavel Miranda, but Malignaggi, though he’s not at his physical best anymore, will pose the biggest test for “Tito.”

Malignaggi (35-7, 7 KOs) is coming off back-to-back wins after losing in consecutive bouts to Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia. Having already won the WBA welterweight and IBF super lightweight titles, Malignaggi is inching closer to hanging his gloves up for good but he wants to at least hang on to his hometown belt one last time.

“Representing Brooklyn with this belt has been something I'm very proud of,” said Malignaggi. “I relish the competitive spirit of being able to defend it against another quality Brooklyn fighter like Gabriel Bracero. I fight for Brooklyn and I represent Brooklyn with everything I've got each time I step into the ring and on July 30 it will be no different.”

Their showdown will be televised live on Showtime Extreme at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The telecast will directly precede the massive featherweight world championship between Leon Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton, which will air live on Showtime starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.