Washington: Undefeated Shawn Porter puts his International Boxing Federation world welterweight title on the line against former world champion Paulie Malignaggi in an all-American showdown Saturday.
It is on the undercard in Washington of the unification bout between light heavyweight champions Bernard Hopkins and Beibut Shumenov, as is unbeaten Peter Quillin`s World Boxing Organization title defense against Czech Lukas Konecny.
Malignaggi, 33, fighting outside his hometown of Brooklyn for the first time in two years, is confident of reclaiming a world crown and dumping Porter, 26, from the ranks of the unbeaten.
"We`re both very hungry," Malignaggi said. "I feel I`m the more talented fighter. I feel I`m the more intelligent fighter. I feel I`ve got more in my back pocket."
Malignaggi, 33-5 with seven knockouts, owned the IBF light welterweight crown in 2007 and 2008, twice beating Australian Lovemore Ndou for the title, and held the World Boxing Association version of the welterweight crown for a year until losing it last June to countryman Adrien Broner.
The "Magic Man" comes into his challenging role off a unanimous 12-round decision over Zab Judah in December.
"A chance to win a third world championship, to take a belt from a guy like that, it becomes a game not only of skill but of will," Malignaggi said. "I will be a three-time world champion."
Porter, 23-0 with one draw and 14 knockouts, won his first world title fight in December, taking a unanimous 12-round decision from compatriot Devon Alexander for the IBF title on the same card where Malignaggi beat Judah.
"We`re going to defend it with everything we have," Porter said. "We`re going to defend it with honor, with will and with skill. We have worked hard for this. We understand the position we are in and we`re excited."
Porter suffered the only blemish on his record in a 10-round draw in 2012 with Julio Diaz but in a rematch Porter took a unanimous decision last September, setting up his title bout with Alexander.
Quillan, 30-0 with 22 knockouts, makes his third title defense against Konecny, 50-4 with 23 knockouts.
"It`s a test of maturity," the 30-year-old American said. "I want a comprehensive win."
Konecny, 35, suffered his only losses in the past eight years in his only two prior world title bouts, both for the WBO light middleweight crowns.
He lost to Ukraine southpaw Serhiy Dzinziruk in Germany by majority decision in 2008 and then won 12 fights in a row before falling to Russia`s Zaurbek Baysangurov in 2012.
