By James Slater: If anyone thought the loss Argentine banger Marcos Maidana suffered against Amir Khan last year would in any way dampen his desire, they should think again. The 27-year-old, who lost a close decision to the WBA 140-pound champ, came out and asked for a rematch; convinced as he is that he can beat Khan. But now, in talking to Fightnews, Maidana has said he realizes Khan will never agree to fight him again and that he has “moved on” as a result.
But the fire for combat burns just as fiercely inside the heart of Maidana. This much is clear by the statements he made in regards to who he wants to fight next; who is at the very top of his “hit-list.” Floyd Mayweather Junior, no less, is the guy Maidana would love to get it on with. And “El Chino” says he would make “Money” fight and fight hard, before making him fall.
“I’m more willing to fight arrogant and loudmouth fighters like Floyd Mayweather,” Maidana said on the subject of who he’d like next. “I’d jump on that right now. I don’t wanna sound arrogant because that’s not my style. But Mayweather’s attitude pisses me off. He was so disrespectful of [Manny] Pacquiao and we all know that he got himself out of the fight.
“On Mayweather’s last bout he was nearly knocked out on his feet by Shane Mosley in the 2nd-round. That tells me Mayweather could not take a solid punch from me. He is a better boxer than me, of course. But I am a warrior, so the fight would not be a tactical one. I would make it a war by stalking him until he falls.”
Of course, with Mayweather’s multiple legal problems (he is due back on court in March), it’s doubtful he will fight against anyone any time soon – maybe not even this year. And does any fan really think the soon-to-be-34-year-old would take a risk against Maidana, even if the Argentine would have to move up in weight to make the fight? You can’t blame Maidana for calling Mayweather out (who hasn’t/isn’t!), and IF the fight happened it would be a huge and intriguing event. Fans by the million would watch it, that’s for sure.
But on a scale of 1 to 10, this particular mouth-watering match-up has a 1-percent chance of happening, at best. However, in being peppered with questions by Fightnews, who asked him who else he’d like to fight, Maidana was insistent that Mayweather is the man he wants; even craves.
Maidana did say that he only wants the big names and that he will be ready for whichever big name comes his way. Will the former Pound-for-Pound king ever go near Maidana? That would be some hot fight if it happened!