CONOR McGREGOR has been backed to knock out Paulie Malignaggi in a boxing match by UFC legend Michael Bisping.
McGregor has been feuding with Malignaggi ever since they sparred in July 2017 as the Irishman prepared to face Floyd Mayweather in a money-spinning crossover bout, which he lost in round 10.
Paulie Malignaggi insisted he was pushed down after Conor McGregor claimed to have dropped the boxer
Michael Bisping has backed McGregor to KO MalignaggiCredit: AP:Associated Press
After footage of the sparring was leaked online – including a disputed knockdown of Malignaggi – the former two-time champion stormed out of the southpaw’s camp and campaigned to fight the UFC star.
But with McGregor instead going on to lose against rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, Malignaggi attempted to gain revenge by fighting The Notorious’ training partner and pal Artem Lobov in a bare-knuckle clash.
The retired boxer suffered a shock points loss while breaking his hand, leaving ex-UFC champion Bisping tipping McGregor to beat the 39-year-old if they were to finally settle their feud in the ring.
Bisping tweeted: “Malinaggi (sic) proved this is definitely incorrect when he lost to Artem.
“I’d say Conor Ko.”
Malignaggi has urged McGregor, 31, to release the full footage of their two spars, which were over eight and then 12 rounds, but his calls have been ignored.
The New Yorker, who was four months retired when he sparred McGregor, insisted he “beat the s***” out of the former two-weight UFC champion, and still maintains he was pushed down during their infamous spar, not floored.
He said on Instagram Live: “People say to me, ‘You’re embarrassed he knocked you down’ but he didn’t knock s*** down. He didn’t embarrass me.
“People wish so badly they could see the full video and be right, but you’re never going to get the full video.
“I beat the s*** of of your man, he’s a bum! This is classic combat sports promoting.”
Conor McGregor and Paulie Malignaggi have been embroiled in a feud since an infamous sparring session in 2017
Conor McGregor maintains Malignaggi was decisively beaten during their spars
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
