Paulie Malignaggi announced on Thursday night that he was quitting as one of Conor McGregor's sparring partners for the upcoming fight against Floyd Mayweather.
Malignaggi's decision came after photos emerged online from the second sparring session between the two which showed McGregor in a favourable light.
In an interview with ESPN earlier this week, Malignaggi had described Tuesday's sparring session as 'violent'.
The former two-weight world champion said it was events outside the ring rather than what happened in it which led to his decision. He had previously complained about the second session being 'set up' to make McGregor look good.
I just wanted to clear the air. I am leaving the McGregor training camp today. I came with best intentions & intended to help out. Just the chance to be part of such a big event in this capacity excited me. I believe Conor & I have a mutual respect inside the ring, earned from each other with some good work over 2 sparring sessions. It's some of the stuff outside the ring and some ways some things were handled in training camp that I didn't agree with that made me come to this decision. It's not my place to dictate terms in a training camp that is not mine, but it's my place to decide if I I want to be a part of it. I will not give away anything tactical that I saw in 2 sparring sessions with Conor. For what it's worth, they have my word. The things that upset me though I will speak about in time. I wish team McGregor well in the rest of their preparations and look forward to being back in Vegas to work fight week on Showtime.
The photos which emerged last night show Malignaggi taking damage during the session. He was also shown on the canvas at one point. In the ESPN interview earlier this week, the New Yorker had said there was a 'pushdown' during the 12 rounds but no knockdowns.
Ghostie pic.twitter.com/ViSNzrWV0J
— Conor McGregor News (@ConormcGregor5) August 3, 2017
On Twitter, Malignaggi called for full footage of the second session - where he says he 'beat McGregor's ass' - to be released. He also added that the only photographers who had been allowed into the gym for training had been McGregor's.
Its not nice 2 paint a pic that isn't true, this was a pushdown in sparring, post the whole video rounds 1 through 12 UNEDITED https://t.co/R82BLiMMVm
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) August 4, 2017
The @ufc PI has cameras all over the gym recording 24/7. The video exists UNEDITED of rounds 1 through 12 Tuesday night, let the fans see.
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) August 4, 2017
I came to help this camp out, not to be exploited, now your gonna get the truth though. Post FULL UNEDITED VIDEO FROM TUES night #Ethics
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) August 4, 2017
I actually beat his ass, 24 hrsoff a flight 2 lol, which is why Im saying post the vid, I try not 2 be petty but seems it's late 4 that now. https://t.co/vSE2Iw4ffM
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) August 4, 2017
I did interview BECAUSE of the pics, I'm not ur average sparring partner u post pics with me media will hound me, I've said stop with pics. https://t.co/9c85977PQ5
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) August 4, 2017
Only his personal photographers allowed in the gym. Don't just invent you're own reality of things because it's how u wish it to be buddy. https://t.co/OsnN2AkL56
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) August 4, 2017
