CHICAGO: Paul Malignaggi beat fellow American Juan Diaz by unanimous decision on Saturday, a clear outcome after a controversial fight in August between the two junior welterweights.

The 29-year old Malignaggi came out more aggressive than normal and consistently landed his jab while Diaz waited to counter. Brooklyn-based fighter always seemed to have the fight under control, even when Diaz managed to steal a few rounds with quick flurries.

All three judges scored it 116-111 for Malignaggi.

The scorecards were in stark contrast to the wild difference in their first fight, when Diaz won by unanimous decision in his hometown of Houston. That fight was close throughout, and the 118-110 scorecard by a Texas judge sparked the controversy that resulted in the rematch.

Malignaggi refused to back up through the fight, using his jab to keep distance while the smaller Diaz (34-3) tried to bull his way inside. As the fight progressed, Malignaggi was able to coast in the latter rounds, making it more difficult for Diaz to land his combinations. The “Baby Bull” was cut under his left eye during the second round by a punch, though it was never a major factor in the outcome. The 26-year old Diaz was most successful in the fifth round with Malignaggi on the ropes, but struggled to take over the fight.

The flamboyant Malignaggi toyed with Diaz at times, playing to the crowd by putting his hands behind his back and making winding motions as he was readying to punch. Malignaggi didn’t appear significantly marked throughout the fight, proving how tough he was when he stood up to Diaz in the 12th round and exchanged punches in the middle of the ring.

Malignaggi said afterward that he’s willing to fight anybody in the loaded 140-pound class, including WBO champion Timothy Bradley, who looked impressive in beating Lamont Peterson on Saturday night in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

He also called out WBA titleholder Amir Khan and WBC champion Devon Alexander.

In the co-main event, Victor Ortiz (25-2, 20 KOs) rebounded from an embarrassing loss to Marcos Maidana to stop veteran Antonio Diaz one second into the seventh round.

Ortiz is a prized prospect for Golden Boy Promotions and had been on the rise until he was knocked down in the first and sixth rounds by Maidana in June. Ortiz quit after the second knockdown, and needed a dominant performance against Diaz (46-6) to get back on track.

Darchinyan flattens Rojas in 2nd round

Meanwhile, Australia’s Vic Darchinyan knocked out Mexico’s Tomas Rojas in the second round Saturday to retain his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association super flyweight titles.

The Armenian-born Aussie fighter flattened Rojas after two minutes and 54 seconds of the second round, improving to 33-2 with one drawn by taking his 27th victory inside the distance in the matchup of southpaw stars.

Rojas fell to 32-11 after his first loss in more than two years.

The Mexican landed more punches and kept Darchinyan on the move over the first five minutes, but the champion was simply waiting for the right moment to strike.

“He was punching me. He was making more punches than me. But I knew my time would come,” Darchinyan said. “I just took my time. I used my skills. It’s about mind. It’s not just power. I had to mentally be ready.” Darchinyan’s moment came late in the second round when a left to the head set up a powerful left to the chest that Rojas tried to duck.

Instead, the Mexican moved his head directly into the path of Darchinyan’s punch and was caught on the chin and then hard in the chest before falling onto his back.

“He was going to duck it. I knew it,” Darchinyan said. “I didn’t go for his head. I went for his chest. He put his head right in the way of my punch.” Seconds later, Darchinyan had the victory, improving to 11-2 in world title fights.

“I like when opponents hit me and think I’m open and they can get more,” Darchinyan said. “I know he’s going to come and I’m going to get him.”

Dallas still in race for Pacquiao fight

Meanwhile, boxing promoter Bob Arum expects to settle on a site for Philippine fighter Manny Pacquiao’s bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. by next week. While Las Vegas is the front-runner, Arum claims it still might be Dallas — and it definitely won’t be Los Angeles.

The Top Rank boss spoke glowingly of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his willingness to outbid Vegas for what might be the richest fight in boxing history. Arum also expressed frustration Saturday night with Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer, who assists Mayweather Promotions, for canceling a trip to Dallas because he doesn’t want the fight in Jones’ opulent stadium.

“I know Texas people, and I know that a first proposal doesn’t mean it’s the final proposal,” said Arum, who promotes Pacquiao. “I’m saying that Dallas is a real live possibility, and I have a fiduciary responsibility to Manny Pacquiao to get him the most money.” The Dallas bid was thought to be nearly dead after Schaefer skipped the trip on Wednesday to scout for Mayweather. But Arum, speaking after Top Rank fighter Lamont Peterson lost his title shot against Timothy Bradley, insists Schaefer must consider Jones’ offer — a guarantee of $25 million, according to the Los Angeles Times, which might go even higher.

“I think everybody involved has an obligation to see,” said Arum, who has turned over the nuts-and-bolts negotiations to Top Rank president Todd duBoef because Arum gets too emotional.