NEW YORK (AP) — Junior welterweight champion Amir Khan made a sensational American debut on Saturday night, stopping former titleholder Paulie Malignaggi in the 11th round of a brutally efficient, one-sided fight.
Using superior speed and crisp right hands, the former British Olympian made good on his promise to quiet the flamboyant hometown challenger. Malignaggi’s face was red and swollen from the middle rounds on, and he had to lobby the ringside doctor before the 11th round just to let him continue.
It wound up being a bad idea.
Khan (23-1, 17 KOs) backed Malignaggi against the ropes and threw a series of unanswered blows before referee Steve Smoger finally stepped between them at 1:25 of the round. Malignaggi (27-4) didn’t argue with the decision, tapping his chest and congratulating Khan on the victory.
