On Monday afternoon, Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov took the stage in New York to promote their upcoming bare knuckle grudge match, scheduled for June 22 in Tampa, Florida. This press conference streamed on FITE.tv.
It should come as no surprise that the trash talk was immediate and ceaseless.
Artem Lobov was the first to have a turn on the microphone. He kept things reasonably civil, only claiming that Malignaggi was not physically or mentally equipped for a sport as brutal as bare knuckle boxing.
Paulie Malignaggi was given the microphone next, and the temperature in the room quickly began to rise.
Malignaggi unleashed some trash talk — some of which was indecipherable due to a microphone issue — and Lobov stood up and approached him. Malignaggi then attempted to swat Lobov on the top of the head with the microphone, causing the security on stage to separate them.
Paulie Malignaggi just tried to bop Artem Lobov on the head with a microphone. They had to separated after after this grisly attack. #BKFC6
— Tom Taylor (@TomTayMMA) May 20, 2019
From there, Paulie Malignaggi continued, stating that if he knocks Artem Lobov out, he’ll spit on him. Evidently not satisfied with his own threat, the former boxer then took it a step further.
“I might take out my dick and piss in your mouth,” he said.
Paulie Malignaggi says after he knocks out Artem Lobov out he's going to "Take out his dick" and "piss in his mouth." I kid you not. #BKFC6
— Tom Taylor (@TomTayMMA) May 20, 2019
Paulie Malignaggi: "I might spit on you when I finish you. Actually, I might take my d**k out and piss on you. I'll piss in your toothless mouth" #BKFC6
— Mike Pendleton (@MP2310) May 20, 2019
Once the final question from the media had been taken, Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov took center stage for a customary face off. In a completely unsurprising twist, they eventually had to be separated when they got a little too physical. Malignaggi spat at Lobov, and Lobov attempted to the New Yorker with a kick.
Needless to say, there is plenty of heat between these two.
BKFC 6 will be available exclusively on PPV at a price of $39.95. Tickets for this card will go on sale tomorrow (h/t Jason Floyd).
At the Bare Knuckle Press Conference, David Feldman announces event will be $39.95 on PPV and tickets go on sale tomorrow (event at Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL)
— Jason Floyd (@Jason_Floyd) May 20, 2019
Who do you think will come out on top when Artem Lobov and Paulie Malignaggi collide in Tampa?
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 5/20/2019.