Talk about a rematch no-one really expected. There is more news regarding the planned ring return of Marcos Maidana. As per a news piece from RingTV.com, “industry sources” say the Argentine slugger, now aged 35 and inactive since 2014, has indeed signed a “multi-fight deal” with Premiere Boxing Channel, and he will return in the summer, likely against a “limited” foe, at 154 pounds.
But then, according to these sources, “El Chino” could fight none other than Adrien Broner, in a welterweight rematch. A lot of work needs to be done on Maidana’s part before this, a still-interesting sequel, can happen – most importantly, Maidana must shed the excess poundage he picked up during his live life on the hog retirement years. Who knows how much the effort of shifting anything like 50 to 60 pounds will take out of the 35 year old, what he will be left with in terms of sheer physical strength?
But if he can do it, and if he looks at least decent in the planned summer return, then maybe we will be settling in to see if Maidana can repeat his big win over Broner, or if “The Problem” can avenge the first loss of his pro career. It was an excellent fight back in December of 2013, with plenty of action, knockdowns and an upset (Broner was at the time seemingly set for great things). Of course a whole lot has happened to both fighters since then.
Maidana picked up a national debt in his two fights with superstar (and Broner’s buddy) Floyd Mayweather and then got fat and content in what was seemingly a permanent and well-earned retirement. Broner lost his way a couple of times, falling foul of the law, and he also lost again and again – to Shawn Porter, to Mikey Garcia and, most recently, to Manny Pacquiao. But here, all these years on, might Broner be able to avenge the initial defeat on his record?
There is, as we know, no substitute for activity, and the younger, active Broner would likely have plenty of things in his favour in, say, a September or October return meeting with Maidana. Or maybe the rough, tough and relentless approach of Maidana would once again prove too much for Broner. How Maidana’s comeback goes will all depend on how much he has left. And at this point there’s absolutely no telling.