By Edward Chaykovsky

Former two division world champion Paulie Malignaggi (35-7, 7KOs) is back on the saddler, as he returns to the Barclays Center in Brookyn for the first time since August of 2015.

The last time Malignaggi was at Barclays, he was stopped in nine rounds by current WBC welterweight champion Danny Garcia. Malignaggi was going to retire after that defeat, but then he started to fight overseas in Europe and was chasing the EBU title.

He notched off two dominant wins, in September in Italy and then in December in London, and then things remained quiet with his career as other obligations were landing on his lap.

But now Malignaggi finds himself back on home soil, against a hometown fighter he knows very well in Gabe Bracero (24-2, 5KOs), who despite his low KO record scored a brutal first round knockout - with one punch - in his rematch with Danny O'Connor last October.

They will collide on Saturday, July 30 as part of the Showtime televised undercard to Carl Frampton vs. Leo Santa Cruz.

 “I think my fight with Bracero is an interesting clash of styles. We have similar styles in that we like to box and counter punch but we’re also both very familiar with each other. I’m sure he’ll have something up his sleeve for me," Malignaggi said.

“Making this kind of all-Brooklyn fight is great for the fans. We both have our own followings so it should make for an electric atmosphere at Barclays Center."

Malignaggi, who also works as an expert analyst for Showtime, really looks forward to the main event of the card.

“The main event is going to be a great fight. When you look at the styles and the pedigrees of both men, it’s hard to predict what’s going to happen. Both guys have exciting styles so I’m betting on the fans getting their money’s worth," Malignaggi said.