Pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather has what he considers the ideal strategy when he puts his perfect record on the line early tomorrow morning against power-puncher Marcos Maidana.
The 37-year-old undefeated American is overwhelming favourite when he defends his World Boxing Council 147-pound crown against the World Boxing Association champion Maidana in a unification bout at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.
Mayweather, 37, had made the art of boxing look too easy against a succession of good fighters, and in theory Maidana should join the list of the beaten without staining Mayweather’s diamond-encrusted leather shorts with any blood.
“The game plan is to stay in the pocket. Make the guy miss and make the guy pay,” he said. “There is no blueprint to beat me, no way to crack the code. If Maidana thinks that he is going to win by rushing in wild then he will get a beating.”
Mayweather’s counter-punching strategy may not make for exciting knockouts, but it has served him well during his 18-year career.
“Is Marcos Maidana one of the best in the sport? Absolutely,” Mayweather added. “But I am the best there is. Come fight night I will find a way to win.”
The fight is the third of the 30-month, six-fight deal worth $200 million-plus (Dh734m) that Mayweather signed with Showtime.
In his last fight, Mayweather became the unified super welterweight world champ by dominating Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez on September 14, 2013. His fight against Alvarez was the highest grossing pay-per-view bout of all-time with revenues of more than $150m.
For this contest, Mayweather is guaranteed a purse of $32m (Dh117.5m) while Maidana will receive $1.5m (Dh5.5m). The 30-year-old Maidana earned this shot by beating Adrien Broner for the WBA title in December.
But the heavy underdog has also lost to one of the fighters on the undercard, Amir Khan, who stopped Maidana in December of 2010.
“Maidana is a predictable fighter,” said Floyd Mayweather Snr, who trains his son. “When I see Maidana. I see someone that Floyd can easily pick apart. Maidana may be able to punch strong, but here’s the thing – how you going to hit something you can’t catch.”
Maidana’s victory over Broner – who fights on the undercard against Carlos Molina – raised eyebrows as ‘The Problem’ is viewed as Mayweather’s heir apparent. The Argentine has, somewhat understandably, been left exasperated at his portrayal this week of a slow, cumbersome fighter.
“I’m not happy with the role I have been given,” said Maidana. “I know people think I’m going to lose, but I come to win and I’m not afraid of anybody or anything.”
FLOYD MAYWEATHER
The best in the business who should make it win No46 against a fighter who can hurt him but is unlikely to get anywhere near him. Mayweather’s simply does not get hurt and will need to produce an off-night for the Argentine to have a chance. All jabs and quick darts, he is technique personified and is worth watching for that alone.
Tale of the tape
Nickname: Money
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5ft 8ins / 1.73m
Reach: 72ins / 183cm
Age: 37
Fight stats
Fights: 45
Won: 45
Lost: 0
Knockout percentage: 57.7%
Gone the distance: 42.3%
Major belts won: Eight
MARCOS MAIDANA
Many have come before him and all have failed. The question remains: just how do you beat Mayweather? Maidana has a chance – a slim one but still a chance – based on the fact he has some devastating shots in his arsenal. Whether or not he gets to use them is another matter.
Tale of the tape
Nickname: El Chino
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5ft 7ins / 1.70m
Reach: 69ins / 175cm
Age: 30
Fight stats
Fights: 38
Won: 35
Lost: 3
Knockout percentage: 81.5%
Gone the distance: 18.5%
Major belts won: One