I guess we should be glad that former boxing champion, Paulie Malignaggi, is currently embroiled in a war of words (and saliva) with UFC featherweight export, Artem Lobov, and not hot-headed welterweight Michael Chiesa, because we all know how irate “Maverick” can get when you mention his mother.

At least no one is trying to spit on her.

I can’t say the same for “The Russian Hammer,” who nearly took a loogie to the chin at the conclusion of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) press conference a few weeks back in New York City, held in advance of next month’s pay-per-view (PPV) main event in “The Sunshine State.”

“I don’t regret it because the line was crossed a long time ago,” Malignaggi told The Mac Life. “You can’t take spitting or anything else out of context. This line was crossed two years ago. Once you cross the line, you can’t set a new line. Not only do I not regret it, if his mother was at the press conference, I would have spit on her too. There’s no reason to regret anything. I’m ashamed I couldn’t do more. Once you cross that line with me, we can just go.”

Malignaggi is referring to his time spent as a spitting sparring partner for Conor McGregor, back when “Notorious” was training for his Floyd Mayweather fight in Las Vegas. Footage was released that appeared to show the power-punching Irishman putting the former IBF and WBA champion on his ass, which eventually led to a bitter break up.

Lobov factored into that equation because he came up the ranks with McGregor at SBG Ireland and continues to train alongside his longtime friend. In fact, “The Russian Hammer” was already threatening to “box the ears” off the “Magic Man” as far back as Aug. 2017.

He’ll get his chance on June 22 in Tampa.