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Malignaggi to join McGregor camp as sparring partner for Mayweather bout

Richard Heathcote / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Paulie Malignaggi is lacing up his gloves again, but not for a return to the ring.

The recently retired boxer revealed Monday on "The MMA Hour" he'll be joining Conor McGregor's camp as a sparring partner in preparation for the Irishman's professional boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather.

"We've talked. I was starting to wonder myself because with the back-and-forth, I was a little bit confused, like maybe they'd changed their minds or whatnot, but they contacted me again. I'll be joining them shortly," Malignaggi said.

Malignaggi, 36, will meet McGregor and Co. in Las Vegas on Wednesday, then return to the desert once he's covered a tilt between Adrien Broner and Mikey Garcia for Showtime in New York on July 29.

A 44-fight veteran who's faced Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan, and Broner to name a few, Malignaggi is sure to bring some valuable insight to the McGregor camp, although he was quick to state his services would be limited to sparring and sharing the occasional observation.

"I wouldn't say I'm going there to train. If I could give a couple of technical tidbits, maybe, maybe not, but I definitely wouldn't call myself a trainer. I think his team has that foundation down pat and they're gonna be doing the training and they're gonna be in charge of all that. Of course I'll be going there to spar and if I see anything, I'll share my views on some things."

The pugilist turned analyst had some words with the UFC lightweight champ earlier this year and worked the Showtime desk for the McGregor-Mayweather media tour last week. But if "The Notorious" is still holding a grudge, Malignaggi said they'll "have a knock in the gym" to put the remnants of their beef to bed.

The Brooklyn native retired in March after falling to Sam Eggington by eighth-round KO, and joins a stable of sparring partners including Jay Byrne, Tiernan Bradley, and Dashon Johnson.

McGregor meets Mayweather on Aug. 26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

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