Photos: Paulie Malignaggi, Amir Imam Go To War in Sparring

By Reynaldo 'El Papi Chulo' Sanchez

On Tuesday June 14th in Miami, Florida, former two division world champion Paulie 'The Magic Man' Malignaggi (35-7, 7KOs) visited the 5th St. Gym and took part in an eight round sparring session with super lightweight contender Amir ‘The Young Master” Imam (18-1, 15KOs).

Malignaggi has won two in a row since getting stopped by Danny Garcia last August in Brooklyn. Malignaggi is in line to fight for the EBU welterweight title - if he chooses to go in that direction.

Imam has been out of the ring since suffering his first career defeat, an unexpected TKO loss to Adrian Granados last December in Quebec, Canada.

Malignaggi is testing out his body to see how well it reacts with a young, fast fighter.

"I want to know how well I'm doing this again. I actually see here in the gym and I need to know how my body reacts long training in a training camp. I have about 15 years doing this and now I need to know that my passion for boxing is still in my heart," Malignaggi said.

"For now, I training at a less intense level than when I do it for a fight. I'm waiting for confirmation for my next fight and I'm doing some rounds with a young guy like Imam, who is fast and young, and it gives me an idea of ??where I am physically."

"I think by being less physical and having more intelligent fights are something I can still do for some time. My body is no longer the same. When I started in professional boxing there was that fire and desire to achieve goals. Now it's different, I've reached some goals and I have less intensity not only for boxing but for all aspects of my life," Malignaggi said.

"I'll be back soon, maybe in Europe for a regional title and that motivates me to continue. In my last few fights in England and Italy, I felt really good and I think I still have gas in the tank to have a few fights before leaving boxing . Very soon you will hear about my next fight."