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Full Episode - Paulie Malignaggi (Ep. 68)
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Transcript
Introduction & Special Guest Announcement
00:00:01
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian football podcast with John Solano, Carlo Garganese and Nima Tuvali.
00:00:24
Speaker
Hello everybody and welcome to another interview episode of the Italian Football Podcast. I'm Carlo Garganese. I hope you're all doing well. We have a big treat for you on the show today, especially if you're a
Patreon Promotion
00:00:36
Speaker
boxing fan. Before I introduce today's guest, just a reminder that if you want to get access to all of the episodes of the Italian Football Podcast,
00:00:43
Speaker
You can go to patreon.com slash T-I-F-P and become a member for only $2.99 a month. That gets you access to not only our twice weekly podcast, but all of our written work features, transfer exclusives and much, much more. You can also help participate in the show by asking questions of our guests. So again, that's patreon.com slash T-I-F
Meet Pauli Malinagi
00:01:07
Speaker
-P. Okay, so now let's introduce our seventh guest of the season.
00:01:11
Speaker
He's a former world champion boxer in two different weight classes, a flamboyant fighter with an iron chin who fought the likes of Miguel Cotto, Zab Judah and Ricky Hatton. He went on to become a bare-knuckle boxer while he is now regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and astute boxing commentators and pundits in the sport. He is also a huge fan of Italian football and the Italy national team, so we are absolutely delighted to invite onto the show
00:01:39
Speaker
Pauli the Magic Man Malinaji. Pauli, welcome to the Italian Football Podcast. Thank you so much for joining us. How are you doing? You're in Sicily right now. Is that right? Yeah, yeah. I'm doing good, man. My pleasure to be on. Thanks for having me.
Pauli's Childhood & Sports Memories
00:01:55
Speaker
Hi, Pauli. I wanted to start off, you spent part of your early childhood in Sicily. When it comes to sport, was football or soccer or boxing your first love? Yeah, actually, football was
00:02:06
Speaker
with my first love. It was my first, my father played a lower level of professional football in Italy and we lived in Italy for most of my young earlier part of my life. So it was, I took to it at first while my parents were together, you know, unfortunately my parents went separate ways in my childhood and kind of took me in a different direction but I
00:02:30
Speaker
It was the first sport I really liked. You said your father played Calcio. Which teams did he play? And how far up in the leagues did he get? Here he sits. He played mainly in Sicily. I remember a team called Chicoli. A couple of teams on the island of Sicily. When he was born, he ended up playing a year in Mexico. That's mainly why I was born in the US.
00:02:59
Speaker
My mother's parents had moved to the U.S., so my mother stayed back in New York. We played in Mexico for that reason. But then after the season ended in June or so, we moved back to Italy in June of 1981. So that's why I'm born in the U.S., but I'm raised mostly in Sicily in my first years of my life. Ah, cool. So what are your first Calco memories? We all have a tournament that we remember, and for me, it was the World Cup in Italy in 1990. What was yours?
00:03:28
Speaker
Yeah, well, Italy in 1990 was my first World Cup. I had memories of football before that though. I remember my very first memory of understanding things, sort of understanding things. I was not able to really understand the World Cup, but I can remember the Italy, France came from the 1986 World Cup where France eliminated Italy. I can remember being in my house. We lived in Sicily and I can remember my father, you know.
00:03:59
Speaker
being upset. And I can remember him watching the game. We were all in the, in the room. We were actually eating and watching the game.
Juventus Love & Early Football Memories
00:04:05
Speaker
And, um, my father then went downstairs and he had to go in his, uh, in his bedroom cause he was so upset and he was watching the game. Um, and, uh, and I'm asking my mother, my, what's, what's, you know, what's his problem? What's going on? Don't bother him right now. Italy's losing. And I remember asking, well, who was Italy playing? And she said, they're playing France, you know,
00:04:27
Speaker
I had no idea what the World Cup even was yet, though. You know, I was a few months child, my sixth birthday. But I had an understanding already that Italy was a big passion, the game when the Italian national team played, it was a big passion, you know? Oh, I'm sure. I didn't even know that we were defending champions going into the World Cup, you know, that caused for more upset, more, more of a being upsetting for my father because, you know, coming off the World Cup four years earlier, I guess, you know, watching us win and then watching Italy win and then
00:04:57
Speaker
having to see that disappointing performance against France in 86 when we were eliminated early. So I didn't understand until a couple of years later, I looked at a sports almanac and I saw the Italy-French result in the 86th World Cup. And I said, oh my God, that's the day my father was really angry, you know. Michelle Platoni scored a remember in that game. Yeah, I think Stoppira and Platoni scored, yeah. That's right.
00:05:25
Speaker
You know, that was my very, very first memory of actually competitive football, you know, competitive culture. Uh, but then I remember my father bought me and my brother, uh, Juventus kits, you know, uh, and he wasn't even the event span, you know, he used to play, he wasn't even, but he just, I don't know what, what the idea was. I remember my father was like dinner and he bought me my brother, he bought me my brother, Juventus kits. And, uh, from there, from there.
00:05:54
Speaker
Was that your favorite team growing up? That was my favorite team growing up as a kid, uh, was the event is because of these kids, you know, uh, I just started loving event and I heard, you know, hearing good things about it. Ironically, it was not event. This is best years. I mean, they weren't terrible, obviously, but compared to what they had been in their reputation, it wasn't their best
Serie A & Scudetto Memories
00:06:14
Speaker
years. They won a, they wound up winning away for cup, I think in a, in 90 or if you're on team, actually in the finals.
00:06:20
Speaker
But I couldn't win the Scudetto. You know, Milan was just too strong, you know. And Napoli was also very strong. And I remember my first Scudetto that I can remember following, Inter actually won it. I think it's 88. Inter won the Scudetto. The first season that I remember actually kind of following the Scudetto a little bit and understanding it, you know. Yeah, 88, 89, Trapatoni, the Inter, the record. Yeah, it was around there, yep, around there, yep. And I was kind of the first, and I can remember like,
00:06:48
Speaker
specifically following, you know, like specifically following and like kind of getting an understanding all week to week basis. You know, by then I was actually in the U S we used to get the games every week. You used to get like one match of the, of the, of the week on Sunday morning, the preferred match. And then you'd get the number two, you get the number decimal minuto from Italy. So it was a morning and then an afternoon thing because in Italy, the U S had six hours behind, you know,
00:07:15
Speaker
So I was following the season like that, you know, and now I kind of got me going. So by the time I got to the 1990 World Cup, the next year, I was pretty in tune with what was going on. You know, I watched you, they went away for a cup, uh, being guaranteed, uh, guaranteed, I think that Bajo played for actually, um, in, um, 89, 90. And then, um, you know, I, I think, I think, I think, uh, I think Napoli won the school that year, um, in 90 and then going to the world cup.
00:07:44
Speaker
I just remember being super, super excited. These are my first football memories and it was, you know, it was, it was, you know, when you first get that bug, it's really amazing. It's all, it's all really, really genuine, you know, really, really genuine. You're just, you're just so amazed with everything you're watching.
Admiration for Roberto Bajo
00:08:03
Speaker
So was Roberto Bajo your idol growing up as a kid? And is he your favorite Italian player or favorite player of all time? Roberto Bajo is probably a guy that I
00:08:14
Speaker
I, is, you know, I'm not really taken too much by meeting stars. I've met a lot of stars in my life, but I think, I think Roberto Bajo is probably the only guy that if I ever met him, I'd be a fan. I've loved that guy since I'm a kid, you know, and he's been my favorite. I just adored him, you know, he gave me so many memories, especially the 94 tournament, the 90, 93 wafer cup with you, you know, um, 94, 94 world cup, you know, and just,
00:08:44
Speaker
I just adored him, you know? And I adored him in a key part of my childhood, you know? You know, when you're really, really getting to know superstars and getting to really love superstars that really take effect in your life, you know? So Badjo is somebody that if I met, I think, you know, I'd probably, even myself, I'd act like a fan, you know? I don't even know how I'd react, you know? I think that's true of all of us. Yeah, Badjo was my, he was my...
00:09:14
Speaker
When I was a kid, I had his boots. He had his yellow Diodora boots when I used to play. I used to have... I worked the ponytail as well, but my mum wouldn't let me have it. But he doesn't do much media, Bad Joe. He's a very reserved guy. I find him to be a bit bitter about everything, you know? And he should be, you know? I don't think he was treated right.
00:09:39
Speaker
I think if Bajo played in the marketplace today in his prime, he'd probably have been like a Real Madrid team or something, you know, he'd probably have won the, you know, played at a different time where.
00:09:50
Speaker
you know, players like him were hard to really appreciate in Italy, you know, quite rebellious guy as well. Like he's anti-establishment, like obviously being a Buddhist as well. Yeah, anti-establishment, but he was always for the team, you know, like it wasn't like a Cassano, for example, who was anti-establishment and got along with nobody, you know, like, and I love Cassano, by the way, but was very much for the team. You know, he was a he was a team guy, you know, so it was
00:10:16
Speaker
You know, he wanted to win for the team, you know, so he was anti-establishing, but I don't know, I wouldn't say he was in a rebellious way, at least that's not how I saw him. Yeah, he's a great guy. Like, I just felt like, I don't know, you know, I felt like the style in Italy was a bit different, like, you know, they were really big on the, what we call in Italy, the tornante type of forward, you know, where the forward that comes back to help out the defense, you know, and Bajo wasn't really a tornante type, so he got on,
00:10:44
Speaker
He got on the bedside of some of these coaches that he played for, you know, but he really wasn't built to be that kind of guy, you know, like, you know, you know, a lot of guys, there's a big appreciation for Del Piero, I think mainly because, you know, he was obviously loyal to his team, but also because, you know, he played that Dornante role too, you know, he'd come back and help out and whatnot. And yes, I think that's great, but I just don't think that, that fit in with the Serie A
Analyzing Bajo's Playing Style
00:11:07
Speaker
at that time. And it was not customary to leave, leave your league prior to 96 Bosman ruling.
00:11:12
Speaker
it really wasn't customary for so many guys to leave their own particular league, their own domestic league. So because I really think with that style of play, it would have been more suited for another league, either in Spain or maybe in England or whatnot. I don't think, I don't think Serie A really, he had success in Serie A, don't get me wrong. I mean, he won the 95 Scudetto, he won the 93 Wafer Cup, even the 95 Scudetto with UVA, he won the 93 Wafer Cup with UVA as well, and then obviously some other things with other teams.
00:11:43
Speaker
I just don't think he had a style that could be appreciated at that time in Italy. The Italian methodology of football wasn't there. If you look at it, even Patrick Clyburn and Thierry Henry came to play football in Syria in the 90s and they didn't do very well either. It was just certain things about certain qualities, certain things that could not be appreciated in Italy at that time.
00:12:08
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. For sure. I mean, one thing, Bajo was massively successful with the Italy national team. And as you've already said, you're very passionate about the Azuris. So what's your assessment of the current Italy squad and how well do you think they can do at the European Championship next summer?
Thoughts on the Current Italian National Team
00:12:25
Speaker
I don't really have a crazy assessment of them. I think they're young, getting to know each other a little bit. They're getting to get the kind of getting the feel of the chemistry a little bit. I didn't quite
00:12:36
Speaker
enjoy them the last couple of games they played. I'm watching them. I don't think we have, you know, it's sad because we've always at least had guys that can put the ball in the net. You know, I haven't always agreed with our lack of creativity in our midfield in some generations.
00:12:54
Speaker
you know, for example, I can remember the 98 World Cup team, for example, I thought we had a great team, but I thought we had no creativity in the midfield, you know, so there was a, there was a bit of a, there was a bit of a, of a drag between the defense and the, and the attack, you know, we had a great attack with by John Berry, but, but the midfield, although stout defensively has had no creativity at all. So you can, you can, you can bring the ball forward. And I think that was ultimately costly for us against Frank, but, but, um, I, I think we have a creative bunch of guys that want, that kind of,
00:13:24
Speaker
you know, are getting better. Um, but I think our forwards are terrible. I mean, I've never seen such terrible forwards in my life. Nobody can put the ball in the net if you handed it to them, you know, it's actually very, very frustrating to watch. Very, very frustrating to watch. Um, cause I've, I've never really taken to guys who play well for the club and then for the national team, they choke.
00:13:50
Speaker
Yeah, I just, I was never, I had kind of a pet peeve for guys like that. I mean, listen, it's not personal because I'm sure they're good guys, but as a fan of the team, I have always had a pet peeve for guys who could put the ball in the net for their club and then put the national team jersey on and just forget how to play. You know, I really, really, you know, we talked about him was kind of like that a little bit. My team was a great Sam Doria player, but a little bit, he had that little, a little bit in him, um, with the, with the national team, you know, matter of fact,
00:14:19
Speaker
I remember the 90 national team, speaking of 90 World Cup, where we couldn't put the ball in the net, but we had to start bringing in Scolaccio off the bench and he was putting the ball in the net. Carter Novella was the same way. Carter Novella was a good player for Napoli. He couldn't score readily. We've always kind of had a couple of guys that were like that, but we've always had enough depth within the league that we could always call up other guys and who could score, you know, like who would put the ball in the net with the national team.
00:14:49
Speaker
Now, I don't know, man. I mean, personally, I'd like to play El Shirawi a little more, you know? I think, you know, there's not a lot of options. I like Caputo, but, you know, he's not that young. I like Caputo, but I don't know, man. I don't like Immobile or Belote. I really don't. I mean, I think they're atrocious for the national team. I mean, they're okay with last year and, you know, they do okay.
00:15:18
Speaker
I mean, they put on that blue jersey and it's like they forget to play how to, forget how to play football. I really, I'm, I'm kind of, I get sick of watching guys like that. You had similar frustrations with Del Piero when
Frustrations with Alessandro Del Piero
00:15:29
Speaker
he played for Italy. Did you? Like in terms of not, yeah. I did have a similar frustrations with Del Piero, you know, um, same thing, you know, I, again, and Del Piero was, again, I've heard, I've heard Del Piero is a great guy. That's when my friends meet him and they tell me he's such a gentleman, you know, in it. So again, this is nothing on a personal level, but,
00:15:48
Speaker
the Piero internationally, even with you in the Champions League, really, I mean, he didn't do much. We never really do much, you know, at least in terms of, you know, showing up in important moments where your team is under pressure, your team is under the rest, and you need a big goal, you need a big moment. You know, unfortunately, I grew up spoiled, you know, I grew up a budget, you know, where you need a big goal, and this guy would score it, you know, this guy would show up and score it, you know, like, now the guys you look to are like that, you know, I mean,
00:16:18
Speaker
It's not Del Piero's fault that they all point the Savior tag on him, and he would go with that guy, but I could never, ever get a goal out of him when really it was needed, whether it was for U of A or whether it was for Italy.
00:16:38
Speaker
People point to the 2006 semi-final goal in Germany, but the game's over and I don't need that to nil goal I need to go in about minute against France in Europe Yes, yes I don't need your two-nil goal against Germany in the hundred twenty-first minute. I don't need that goal because we won the game But I do need your two-nil goal in the 70s minute against France at Euro 2000 So yeah, so it's kind of a
00:17:09
Speaker
frustrating thing. You know, the Piro is the guy who had the talent. I think if he wasn't thrust, if the superstar moniker wasn't thrust on him, he would be just a good player. And I think there will be no complaints about him. I wouldn't have any complaints about him. I would just see him as a solid player. Because the superstar moniker is thrust on him, now I've got to judge him by a higher standard. And it's kind of hard to judge by that standard. Because like I said, I got spoiled, man. I grew up watching Bajo play. You know, like if you needed a last-minute goal,
00:17:38
Speaker
If you needed a goal and under duress, um, you know, you'd get it from by Joe. You could point to him to get it. You had a free kick late in the game and you needed a goal. Like you, you'd get it, you know, I can remember vividly, I remember vividly, uh, the 1991 cup winner cup semi-final against Barcelona, uh, uh, Barcelona against Ventus and Juventus were defending way for cup champions. And they weren't in the cup winners cup. So they won the cup title of the year before. And so, um,
00:18:06
Speaker
They were in this family against Barcelona, and they lost the first leg. Did they lost the first leg? 3-1. 3-1. 3-1. 3-1, yeah. Yeah, and so I can remember the game being 0-0, and I got home from school, because the game was on in the afternoon in the US, you know? So I got home from school, and it was late in the first half, and it was still 0-0. So I'm like, oh my god, we need to make up some goals, man. You know, and I remember the attack with Skilache and Bajo, you know? So I remember thinking, man, we need to make up some goals.
00:18:35
Speaker
And I don't know, we get a free kick in the 60th minute. We get a free kick in about the 60th minute and Bajo comes over to take it. And you need a goal, man. I mean, you got to make up two goals. You need a goal. Like, you need a goal like 10 minutes ago. You know what I'm saying? That's how bad you need a goal. You know? So Bajo comes up with a free kick and just puts in this beautiful free kick. I mean, we didn't end up getting by in the, in the, uh, in, we didn't end up, uh, getting through, but it made the last half hour of the game.
00:19:04
Speaker
Really exciting because you're one goal away from getting through, you know, so now you're meeting that one goal. You're watching a game from a meeting that one goal, you know, it's You just opened up the entire game. You know what I'm saying? It was it was and we almost got the two nil goal. I don't know a couple of times you almost got it. We didn't get it. So we were eliminated but but nonetheless, I I think of moments like that. Well, you just you just need a goal. You just need something
00:19:29
Speaker
And with the Piedo, it was always frustrating. You'd never get it. But he'd score three or four against Siena, or against Catania, or against whatever other low-level team in Serie A. So it was a bit frustrating. I always tell people, the best game I ever saw the Piedo play through the national team was a game that probably doesn't even count. It was the 1997 Mungalita tournament. It was the pre-World Cup tournament in 1997, if you remember.
00:19:58
Speaker
You know, it was the summer of 97. It was England, Italy, France, and Brazil were in this little miniature tournament in France in the summer of 97. It was kind of, you know, an exhibition tournament that was supposed to hype up the next year's World Cup. And Italy, Brazil, and the 3-3. And it was such a good game. I mean, one of the most fun games, I swear, if I could get a copy of this game, I'd keep it. But even though it's a worthless tournament, it was such open football. It was such a good game. It really was such a good game.
00:20:28
Speaker
And to me, the Piero played an amazing game. And I remember thinking, wow, you know, this guy's really going to be something, you know, like this guy's coming through, you know, that's it. That was, that's about as high as it got for him, for me, you know, with the national team. I think, uh, I think the injury, yeah, the injury, I think the injury, I don't want to be the critical guy because I think the Piero is a solid player. If you don't put that super solid monochrome, you know, I think the Piero,
00:20:55
Speaker
He's a good player. If you don't put the superstar Monica on, I think he's just easier. He's a guy seeing all that guy's a very good player. You know, he, a guy that you, you break that guy. He's a good player. But then when you put a superstar Monica on somebody, the, the cat, the criteria ends up having to, you know, become a little bit more difficult. And I don't, I don't think he passes that. I don't think he's.
00:21:15
Speaker
Anyone near that category, actually, I don't know, because he doesn't he never came through with any in any in any clutch situations with big bolts. Yeah, I definitely agree with you for it for Italy. And you mentioned the 2006 World Cup there. I mean, it's 14 years now since Italy last won a trophy. What do you remember from the 2006 World Cup? How did you mean? How did you celebrate the victory?
Celebrating the 2006 World Cup
00:21:37
Speaker
I was celebrated in Brooklyn on 18th Avenue in Brooklyn, Bentonhurst, Brooklyn, which at that time was all Italian. You go to Bentonhurst, Brooklyn now, it is not all Italian, but when I grew up, it was all Italian, and it was pinnacle. I mean, every time Italy played, you would just go on 18th Avenue, which was the center of the neighborhood with all the cafes, and you just honk horns and drive around and just go crazy, you know?
00:22:02
Speaker
I remember when Grosso scored the penalty gig, I was with my grandfather, because I wanted to be with my grandfather. I'm very close with him, too, you know, to watch the World Cup win. And then I literally sprinted to 18th Avenue and 71st Street. Now, my grandfather's house is on 16th Avenue and 18th Street, so in Brooklyn. So you've got to figure out, it's a sprint of about 12, 13, 14 blocks, you know? And I just ran out the door and sprinted all the way to the cafe on 18th Avenue, one of the cafes. The cafe I would go to, I would hang out at.
00:22:33
Speaker
and cars were honking already on the way there. I didn't want to drive because I just wanted to be on foot, just jumping up and down on the avenue, you know? And it was, I mean, you can see YouTube, on YouTube you can watch, you know, anybody can see this, put 18th Avenue World Cup celebration, World Cup 2006, World Cup final celebration. I mean, it's, the avenue was packed, the avenue was absolutely packed, you know? And it was just a massive, massive celebration.
00:23:01
Speaker
For me, it was amazing because I'm somebody who, as a kid, used to cry when Italy would get eliminated from the World Cup. For me, in 06, it was really, really exciting. Also, I had just lost my first professional fight. I lost the Miguel Córdo fight. For me, it was really a good way to forget about all of it.
00:23:22
Speaker
Yeah, I remember that. And the final itself was best remembered for Sadan's headbutt on Materazzi. And it's weird because Sadan's been pretty much exonerated for that act, whereas Materazzi's been painted as the bad guy because he trash-talked Sadan. Yeah, I never understood because there's no proof of what was said. It was hearsay, right? I mean, everybody makes like, oh, he said this, it says, I'm sure what he said wasn't nice. But at the end of the day, we've seen reactions from trash talk
00:23:51
Speaker
Given by players all the time and they're always the ones red carded and they're always the ones that folks this time I don't know why why the issue is that all of a sudden, you know, he doesn't get red carded But it but matter actually was I mean, I didn't even just spend about there actually for a couple of games afterward, right?
Antonio Cassano's Talent & Challenges
00:24:06
Speaker
Like for what you don't even have any proof of what was said crazy
00:24:12
Speaker
Exactly. Hypocrisy. Very hypocritical. Going back to Cassano, who you mentioned before,
00:24:24
Speaker
I mean, there's a famous line from Robert De Niro's character in a Bronx tale where he says he tells his son that there's nothing sadder in life than wasted talent. And I know that you're a big fan of the natural talent Cassano had. I mean, I'd like to know from you being a top level sportsman yourself, how do you deal and train these kind of incredibly gifted, but say volatile, a little bit volatile talents like a Cassano to ensure that they fulfill their potential?
00:24:51
Speaker
Um, I don't know, you know, I got son. It was a very particular guy. He was unbelievably talented for me. He's the closest thing I've seen to Bajo, you know, not, not totally why not the hero who was kind of very, but Cassano's talent was, uh, another level. If, uh, if he would just have had his head or head screwed on straight, you know, but he, uh, you know, he was a very particular guy. A lot of things made him unhappy. A lot of coaches, uh, you know, rub them the wrong way. And, you know, sometimes it's.
00:25:20
Speaker
You think like it's the coach or sometimes it might, but then at a certain point you realize it's the player. When it's every single time and every single team you go to, then you realize it is the player, unfortunately. Mario Balotelli is the same kind of way. I used to rate him. I used to look at him and think like, ah, he just has to find a coach that will support his style, support his personality and whatnot. But then at a certain point, you realize everywhere he went, he was the problem. So at a certain point, yeah, it became pretty obvious that it was became pretty obvious that
00:25:50
Speaker
You know, he was, he was the problem and you know, you kind of have to come to grips with it. I'll tell you, he's more of a pure scorer. Castano is the kind of player that I love. He's like a bajio, you know, where he can score, but also very creative. You know, Maradona was actually like that. Yeah, he's a street player. Playmaker and also a scorer, you know, so free kick takers as well, you know. I really, really appreciate and enjoy watching talent like that, but
00:26:16
Speaker
At the end of the day, you also have to be a team player because there's a locker room, you have to kind of, there's a locker room chemistry you have to keep together. Another reason why I like Bajo so much, you know, he had the issue with Lippy because at Inter there was some players trash talking Lippy in a locker room and Lippy went to Bajo as the captain or as one of the team leaders and basically said, let me know who's, who's starting these, these voices behind my back. And Bajo wouldn't tell him because Bajo is more for the chemistry of the team and Lippy punished them by basically mentioning them, you know,
00:26:44
Speaker
And then when it came time for Lippi to play for that fourth place Champions League spot, because at the time they had just started that rule, they had to play a tiebreaker against Parma. And he had been benching Bajo, benching Bajo and not getting the performances he needed out of the team. But for the tiebreaker, he played Bajo. And I think Bajo scored like one or two goals, even though he knew the next season he was leaving for Bologna because he couldn't get along with his coach. So Bajo could have easily just packed it in and just not played hard.
00:27:14
Speaker
And, and, you know, a lot of parliament against the champions league instead, but instead he played hard. He, he scored at least one goal. I remember in the game into B Palma. And then, uh, in the, in the post game interview after he even said, you know, there's a lot of rumors saying that I'm not ready and I'm not this, and I, and I haven't been, uh, fit to play or whatnot, you know, I hope, I hope, uh, the performance, uh, uh, um, basically I'm paraphrasing here, but he said, I hope this performance kind of makes my point.
00:27:40
Speaker
because these fans wouldn't have deserved me to not play hard today. So basically for the fans, he wanted Inter going to the Champions League next year, despite the fact that he knew he wouldn't be on the team next year. And to me, that's just a character and a player you can be really passionate about. It values the fans over any kind of thickling you might have had with the coach and everything. Yeah, none of the people. Even though he knew he was not going to partake in the next year's Champions League, he still wanted the fans to be able to enjoy the team.
00:28:10
Speaker
And that's what he did. And then he went to Bologna the next year. Honoring the shirt. Let's talk about... Before he went to Brescia, actually. Actually, he went to... Did he go to Brescia? I think, yeah, he went to Brescia after that, because he was from Bologna.
Current Serie A Season Preview
00:28:24
Speaker
Let's talk about the Serie A now. And what do you make of the start to the Serie A season? And who do you think is going to win the Serie A title this season? Is it going to be a 10 in a row for Juve? I didn't like...
00:28:37
Speaker
I didn't like what they did to Napoli with the UVA game. And I'm really, I'm really, really serious about that. You know, by the way, I grew, as I said, I grew up earlier. I grew up as a UVA fan, but in 2007, I got a call from Milan to hang out at Milanello after I won my world championship. You know, I spent a week there and they invited me there. And it was really, so I had a lot of love for Milan after that because, you know, they were the ones that gave me that invite and not UVA.
00:29:03
Speaker
You know, um, it was a really cool experience. So after that, you know, I had a lot of love for me. And I think at this point, I just love the Syria and I want the Syria to kind of be, um, be on top of things and be one of the best leads in the world. Uh, so that we know our teams get the respect they deserve, you know, uh, from the international crowd.
00:29:22
Speaker
So I don't go as crazy about who wins the Serie A as much as I do go crazy about who wins international tournaments, you know. So I watch the Serie A games and just kind of try to take a backseat and just enjoy them and just try to watch some good games, you know. That's kind of my approach. Now, I wouldn't really say I have a favorite Serie A team, you know. I have just like, I just love the Serie A. And so having said that, I don't think what happened to Napoli was very fair because Napoli in Serie A could be
00:29:48
Speaker
could have 15 points right now. Four points were taken away for that UVA game. They have 11 points right now. They would be the top of the stereo table if not for the judgment on that UVA game.
00:30:01
Speaker
I have to ask you about Zlatan Ibrahimovic because he's 39 years old and he's playing at an incredibly ridiculous high level. You were the best boxer in the world, you were an elite level athlete. How does someone remain at the top of their sport for so long the way that he has? Obviously he has a passion for it, diligent working obviously. Anything else he might be doing, I don't know.
00:30:29
Speaker
you know, definitely, he keeps a passion for the sport for sure. I started there, you know, I saw him in my last last year in the US and I loved the banter he had with the media and the fans because you know, they just they just cannot appreciate a
00:30:47
Speaker
is the combination of a world-class player and character. He's like you. He's like you, Paulie. Yeah, yeah. You know, I got a kick out of him with dealing with the American media. But, you know, they were trying to compare him to Carlos Vela and all that. You guys kidding me? You know, so it was kind of funny to see. But by day's end, I think he's doing an amazing job with Milan. And really, he's a big reason why Milan has started this season so well and so good.
00:31:17
Speaker
I mean, we're, we're, you kind of mentioned the champions
Champions League Speculation
00:31:20
Speaker
league already. And I wanted to ask you a little bit about what you, how you rate the Italian teams, chances of success in the champions league this season. Who, who do you think will go the furthest of out of the four? I don't know, man. Honestly, I'm not, I don't like what I've seen so far from the, from the teams. At the lot, there's always an exciting team, but they're too exciting for their own good. You know, even like in a lot of times.
00:31:42
Speaker
Atalanta always, always makes the game worthwhile to watch, you know, there's always a lot of fun, but, but I don't know that a team that plays that open of a style can win. They're so, they're probably one of the most fun teams to watch in Europe, you know, they play such a non Italian open style, you know, it's crazy, but I think we're going to enjoy them, but I don't think they're going to win. Inter, I don't know what's wrong with them, man. I mean, I don't know what's wrong with them either.
00:32:11
Speaker
At least that group is kind of tight. You know, the interns can still get out of that group, but that group is all kind of blended up in there. Amazingly shocked that I don't answer that at the top of it now. Um, you add on, we're going to see tonight, but they have to play ball so long with no, with no, uh, with no Ronaldo. And I don't know if, if Bonucci's playing either, because I know Bonucci had a little bit of an issue over the weekend. So I don't know if we're going to have Bonucci. We're definitely not going to have Ronaldo because he didn't test his, uh, coronavirus test again. So there's going to be no Ronaldo tonight. And, uh,
00:32:40
Speaker
I don't know. I think it's an important game obviously in Barcelona, so I'm curious about that. I'll probably have a better idea of what I think once I watch this game. Although Barcelona's not doing great in all of the year either, right? I mean, I don't think they've had a great start to their season either, right?
00:32:56
Speaker
That's right. Messi's had the worst start to a season. He hasn't even scored a non penalty goal this season. So yeah, it should be interesting. Yeah, it's a way to put these two teams in the same group, in my opinion, to see one Ronaldo and Messi rivalry.
00:33:12
Speaker
all gone to a dud. So now you were a fighter with a great heart and great courage and you mentioned the Miguel Cotto fight before. Which footballers do you admire for having a great heart and courage? I always liked Gattuso. I thought he was always a strong minded character on the field. I think as far as when I think of heart and courage and determination
00:33:39
Speaker
I think the first guy that came to my mind was Gattuzo, you know, growing up, you know, in my life. You know, obviously I've seen a lot of guys growing up, but I think that the most stern
00:33:55
Speaker
Okay, now it's time for our patron question, which today comes from Arturo Morelli, who is actually from the same neighborhood as you poorly. Go ahead, Art. What's up, Magic Man? My Twitter followers know me as Art Morelli, but as a fellow Bensonhurst kid, you can call me Artie. I'm such a big fan and a follower of your career. You were such a speedy, skilled and accomplished fighter, great trash talker, and always had that new, flashy look in the ring.
00:34:20
Speaker
Is there a player or a club in Italian football today that you identify with or one that you feel best represents who you are as an athlete? Thanks for taking my question. Um, you know, I never really thought about that. I always try to be, uh, I always try. My mind has always been towards, uh, the creative kind of fighter, you know, um, as a boxer, uh, now we're not a power puncher. So I have to use my speed and creativity and sort of Ponta Sia.
00:34:46
Speaker
as we call it in Italian, to create opportunities, create openings.
Admiration for Gattuso
00:34:50
Speaker
So I was always attracted to players with a lot of fantasy on the field, too. Those are the kind of players that I really liked. I enjoyed watching Maradona. I enjoyed watching Bajo. I enjoyed watching Pilo, guys with a lot of fantasy.
00:35:10
Speaker
I wouldn't, I don't know if I, if I'd compare myself to them as far as boxers to the football, but at the same time, the idea of what I was trying to accomplish in there and the idea of what they're trying to accomplish in there kind of puts the mindset in the same place in terms of creativity and, and, and, you know.
00:35:29
Speaker
Final question to finish off the interview. We couldn't have you on obviously without a quick prediction on who will win the Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua fight when they finally get it on. So who's your who's your money on? I think both are great fighters. I think both are great characters. And I think both have done an amazing job, not just for British boxing, but world boxing. I think
00:35:54
Speaker
Tyson Fury is the best heavyweight in the world. Right now, I edge it towards Tyson Fury, but I also want to see the fight. Therefore, if I want to see the fight, that means I do think Joshua has something for Fury that makes the fight worthwhile. Although my pick would be Fury, I think it's a fight worth making and I think it's a fight worth watching.
Conclusion & Patreon Reminder
00:36:17
Speaker
And I look forward to hopefully having to make it soon. Absolutely. I can't wait for that either. OK, well, Pauli, thank you so much for coming on to the show. I mean, you showed yourself to be just as an astute and knowledgeable analyst on Italian soccer as you are on boxing. So thank you so much. We wish you all the best, champ. Thank you. Thanks for having me. It was a real pleasure to chat. I'll catch you guys soon.
00:36:38
Speaker
Thanks so much, Pauli. And finally, once again, if you want to get access to all the episodes and content of the Italian football podcast, go to Patreon.com slash T I F P. Thank you, everyone, for listening. We will catch you once again on Monday for the review episode. Ciao ciao.