Photo by Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions
After a contentious press tour and build up to the much anticipated rematch, “Mayhem” is upon us.
September 13, 2014 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Marcos “Chino” Maidana (35-4, 31 KOs) gets his rematch. The challenge, can he knock off the undefeated pound-for-pound king, Floyd “Money” Mayweather (46-0, 26 KOs)?
The bout will air live on Showtime pay-per-view.
Mayweather is staring at just the second rematch of his career. The first was against Jose Luis Castillo whom many fans still contend beat Mayweather in their first fight. Mayweather clearly won their second battle more convincingly, yet still struggled at times with Castillo.
Clearly the underdog, odds are currently floating around the 8-1 range against Maidana.
What does Maidana need to do to both improve on his performance in their fist fight and to ultimately upset Mayweather? Clearly there is more on the line than just Mayweather’s titles. This fight has the capacity to impact the entire sport as a whole.
For Maidana to upset the apple cart and turn the world of boxing upside down there are three critical keys in beating Mayweather.
Stamina & Conditioning
Photo by Art Hernandez/RBRBoxing
First, Marcos Maidana’s stamina and conditioning will play a key role.
In their first fight, Chino relentlessly pursued Floyd Mayweather and attacked him from all angles. He did, however, appear to wear down in the second half of the fight.
Trainer Robert Garcia compared their first camp to that of their current one in preparing for Mayweather.
“We had about five weeks together before the first fight. This time he came here nine weeks before the fight. I think it’s going to make a big difference.”
Jab & Body Work
Photo by Harry How
Second, Maidana must commit to using his jab and going to the body. These were effective weapons that Garcia has worked to improve while training Maidana. In an interview with Garcia, he gave us a glimpse of the strategy, “Like, go to the body, pound to the body, jab to the body, right to the body, and then, finish with a left hook upstairs, or jab, jab to the body, and then come back with an overhand right. We trained for that over, and over, and when it came to the fight, he was landing, I’m not saying every punch, but many of the punches he was throwing, he was landing them. We trained for that.”
Trapping Mayweather
Photo by Eric Jamison/AP
And third, Marcos Maidana must trap the pound-for-pound champion against the ropes and in the corner. The well-schooled Mayweather spent too much time against the ropes in their first encounter, especially in the first half of the fight. He is touted as being the best at making in ring adjustments. If Maidana can press him for 12 rounds, can Mayweather’s 37 year old legs hold up? Garcia’s father and former trainer Eduardo Garcia has been in the gym offering input during training. “This kid is going to be okay. His style is poison for Mayweather.”
Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime
It has often been noted that styles make fights.
Last December, Marcos Maidana solved “The Problem” and defeated Adrien Broner. Clearly, Broner and Floyd Mayweather are worlds apart in both skill and accomplishments.
What is important to note is that their boxing styles in the ring are similar. Good defense, the front shoulder-roll, an offense based on hand speed and giving your opponent angles are all crucial in that style. Maidana handled Broner and five months later gave Mayweather all he wanted in their first bout, particularly in the first half of the fight.
The question on the night of September 13 will be can Maidana utilize his awkward attacking style to solve the “May-Vinci” code?
