Maidana remains open to Pacquiao fight

MANILA – Argentine brawler Marcos Maidana remains open to a possible clash against Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao sometime in 2015.

Maidana, who lost again to Floyd Mayweather Jr. during their highly bruising rematch last September, has been enjoying his vacation from boxing.

He said he will round up his team to discuss his next fight in 2015.

“Next year we will sit down with my team to discuss my future,” he said in Boxing Scene.

The discussions, he said, might include a future bout with the eight-division champion from the Philippines.

Maidana said Pacquiao looks to be an ideal opponent since he is sure the Filipino will "fight and not run" unlike Mayweather.

Prior to the announcement of the Pacquiao-Algieri fight, promoter Bob Arum floated Maidana’s name as a possible candidate for the Pacquiao sweepstakes.

The Argentine’s manager Sebastian Contursi said they are honored to be considered a challenger for the fighting congressman.

"We are honored that Bob Arum considers Maidana as a valuable opponent for Pacquiao, and we are open to that possibility," Contursi said.

"Every boxer in this weight class dreams to face both Mayweather and Pacquiao, since they are the icons of boxing. There is an inner desire to prove yourself against the very best," he added.

"And, of course, that comes with big paydays, so who wouldn't like to face Manny."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao fight, 'let's make it happen' says Mayweather

LAS VEGAS - It took just minutes after Floyd Mayweather Jr had scored a dominant win over Argentine Marcos Maidana on Saturday before the undefeated welterweight champion faced the inevitable question.

Will Manny Pacquiao be his next opponent?

Still in the ring, still covered in sweat, Mayweather had barely time to catch his breath following a bruising 12-round battle with the hard-hitting Argentine when he was asked about the fight that has fascinated and obsessed the boxing world.

Mayweather's unanimous decision over Maidana that improved his perfect record to 47-0 immediately renewed speculation about a long-awaited super-fight between the 37-year-old American and the Filipino great.

"I got to go back and talk to my team, I'm not ducking or dodging no opponent," Mayweather said from the ring. "If a Pacquiao fight presents itself, let's make it happen."

A duel between the defence-minded Mayweather and the aggressive Pacquiao, the biggest drawcards of their generation, has long been savoured by boxing fans, if only to decide the mythical title of the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

Filipino Pacquiao lost some of his appeal after successive defeats to American Timothy Bradley and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, prompting talk of his possible retirement, though he has since bounced back with two impressive wins.

Five-division world champion Mayweather had been expected to meet Pacquiao in 2010 until negotiations collapsed over the American's demand for random drug testing.

Mayweather, who has hinted at illegal methods by often questioning how Pacquiao could have won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight classes.

"I don't think about Pacquiao, I don't even know him. I wish him the best but that's not my focus," said Mayweather. My focus is Floyd Mayweather that is how I got to where I got to.

"I try not to focus on anyone else's business.

"If it happens it happens. You guys can keep asking the same questions over-and-over and I will give you the same answers.

"That's not my focus.

"My business model is I am my own boss. I call my own shots."

Mayweather announced last week that he will retire in 2015 when his Showtime contract ends in two more fights.

His next fight is expected to come in May but Mayweather said no date has been set and would consider a number of opponents, including Pacquiao.

"We don't know what the future holds for Floyd Mayweather," said the champion. "What realistic is I am 47-0.

"As of right now I want to enjoy my time off. We don't know who we going to be fighting.

"We're not in a rush. We take our time that's how we got to where we got to.

"We not sure what the game plan is."

(Editing by Sudipto Ganguly)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mayweather wins rematch over Maidana

LAS VEGAS - Champion boxer Floyd Mayweather ran his unbeaten streak to 47 straight fights by beating Argentine slugger Marcos Maidana by a unanimous decision in their bad-tempered rematch Saturday.

Mayweather, who hasn't lost a fight since the 1996 Olympics, successfully defended his World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council welterweight belts and the WBC junior middleweight belt.

He improved to 47-0 as two judges scored it 116-111 and the third had it 115-112 for the champion.

"I didn't stay on the ropes. That was the difference," Mayweather said. "I felt I did better in the first fight. This fight I felt dry and dead."

Mayweather was a heavy favourite coming into the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino bout in Las Vegas after winning their first fight by a majority decision in May.

- Forearm shiver -

At one point, referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight and deducted a point from Maidana in the 10th round after he used his left forearm to push back Mayweather, who dropped to the canvas.

There is no love lost between the two boxers, who accused each other in the build-up to this fight of using dirty tricks in their first bout.

Both fighters used questionable tactics over the course of the fight, as Maidana appeared to bite the champ's hand in the eighth round and Mayweather delivered a low blow that buckled Maidana in the 11th.

For the second straight time, Mayweather boxing fans rushed and battled outside the MGM Grand Garden Arena after the fight.

A stampede in May resulted in a number of people being taken to hospital with various injuries after being trampled on and crushed against the walls of the arena entrance.

Witnesses said Saturday's incident also saw fans being knocked over as people pushed their way into the narrow corridor that leads out of the entrance. There were no initial reports of injuries.

Mayweather, 37, never allowed Maidana (35-4, 31 KOs) to get into a proper rhythm in the rematch, landing the better right hands and counterpunches. He connected on 102 power punches compared to just 82 for Maidana.

Mayweather complained bitterly after the fight about Maidana allegedly biting him on the left hand in the eighth.

The two were in a clinch when Mayweather pulled his hand back sharply and complained to Bayless that he was bitten. Bayless stepped between them as Mayweather pointed and yelled at Maidana.

"He bit my fucking hand. He bit me," Mayweather said to Bayless.

Mayweather said after the fight was over that his hand bothered him from the eighth round on.

"I couldn't feel my hand the rest of the fight," he said.

Maidana denied biting Mayweather, saying it is not possible while wearing a mouthguard.

- 'He thinks I am a dog' -

"He thinks I am a dog. But no, I never bit him," Maidana said.

Mayweather will earn a minimum $32 million for the fight while Maidana's purse is $3 million, double what he got for the first fight.

Maidana was given the rematch after landing more punches on Mayweather in the first fight than any other fighter. One judge scored the May fight six rounds each.

Mayweather, who also heads up his own fight promotion company, criticized the judges and referee for the first fight. So organizers replaced two of the three judges and brought in Bayless, who had refereed four previous Mayweather fights.

Maidana came into the fight much lighter than he did for the first bout when he gained almost 20 pounds between the weigh-in and the fight. This time he gained just 11 pounds, reaching 157 pounds.

Mayweather's game plan was to stay off the ropes but his decision to put Maidana in a bear hug every time he couldn't slither out of trouble only ended up making Maidana more frustrated and angry.

Maidana entered the ring first but he didn't have to wait long as Mayweather followed him out of the dressing room.

Mayweather wore a snakeskin robe, which he took off to reveal matching black and white snakeskin trunks. Maidana had red trunks with black trim.

Maidana said he felt he did enough to win the fight.

"I thought I won the fight. But if the judges want to give it to the guy who runs, that is how it is."

Mayweather plans to fight twice more in 2015. He denied he is avoiding Filipino star Manny Pacquiao and said if a deal can be worked out, he would go for it.

"I will go back and talk to my team," Mayweather said. "I am not ducking or dodging no opponent. If a Manny Pacquiao fight presents itself, then let's make it happen.

"Pacquiao needs to focus on guy in front of him, then we will see what the future holds."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mayweather wants 'statement' win over Maidana

LAS VEGAS - Floyd Mayweather, coming off one the biggest scares of his undefeated boxing career, wants to send a message Saturday when he faces Argentine brawler Marcos Maidana.

Mayweather, who won a majority decision over Maidana in May, will battle the South American again for the World Boxing Association welterweight title and World Boxing Council welterweight and junior middleweight crowns.

"I know that I am almost 40 but I am still going strong," the 37-year-old Mayweather said on Wednesday. "I am coming to make a statement."

This is just the second rematch Mayweather has given since turning pro in 1996. Mayweather won a controversial unanimous decision over Jose Castillo in 2002. The pair fought again eight months later for the WBC lightweight title and Mayweather won by another decision.

Mayweather, 46-0 with 26 knockouts, will need to get off to a better start against Maidana than he did in their first fight in order to keep his perfect record intact.

Maidana will be trying to pace himself so that he doesn't run out of steam in the later rounds.

"I don't have to make any adjustments. He do," Mayweather said. "I won. He has to make adjustments."

Maidana, 35-4 with 31 knockouts, came the closet of anyone to becoming the first fighter to beat Mayweather, landing 51 percent of his punches with Mayweather on the ropes.

His aggressive game plan worked for the first six rounds as he landed 221 punches on Mayweather, the most of any opponent. The only other fighter to land 200 punches on Mayweather was Castillo, who landed 203 in their first fight.

"I am very well prepared but this time around I already know him," Maidana said. "Floyd is not used to giving rematches. So I got this great opportunity."

Maidana said one of the keys for him is to be more patient and sacrifice quantity for quality.

"I am going to pace myself this time. I am not going to waste punches," he said.

Vegas oddsmakers have listed Mayweather as an 8-1 favorite ahead of Friday's weigh-in.

His longevity in the sport has been attributed to brilliant counterpunching skills and a stingy defense that doesn't allow opponents to land many clean shots.

And he said Wednesday that is just the way he likes it.

"I try not take no shots," Mayweather said. "I don't want to be known as the guy that can take a good shot. I want to be known as the guy that can dish it out."

- More Mayweather mixed messages -

Mayweather said prior to his May fight with Maidana that he could retire at the end of that fight. But once the bout was over and pay-per-view figures were in, he quickly reversed his tune.

Mayweather provided more mixed messages Wednesday, telling reporters he might stop or he might fight past his current contract with Showtime if they come to him with a good offer. He is currently in the middle of a six-fight contract with Showtime.

"I can't really say. They may come with another contract. I am pretty sure they will," he said. "It is not hard to stop right now. But I feel good. I am just ready to fight."

Kenny Bayless will be the referee Saturday, marking the fifth time he has been in the ring as the referee for a Mayweather fight.

Mayweather complained bitterly about the choice of gloves that Maidana wanted to use prior to the first fight, saying they didn't have enough padding.

Maidana's trainer, Robert Garcia, said Wednesday that an agreement has been reached to use eight-ounce gloves on Saturday.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com