Boxing Mad Magazine #10 MAYDAY FOR MAIDANA | Page 14

MAYDAY FOR MAIDANA Long before he scored the biggest victory of his career with last December’s upset of the unbeaten upstart Adrien Broner – Ring Magazine’s 2013 Upset of the Year – Maidana was winning fights against the odds as a late starter at the age of fifteen, comprehensively beating more experienced youngsters in his local gym in Santa Fe. In his debut on American soil in 2009, he was also expected to lose against heavy betting favourite Victor Ortiz. Maidana rose from the canvas three times to pummel the much-lauded Ortiz to a sixth-round stoppage. The victory over Ortiz made Maidana a cult star, but a world title continued to escape him. He was narrowly beaten in 2010’s Fight of the Year with Amir Khan and following a ten-round points loss to Devon Alexander fourteen months later, Maidana’s boxing future lay on the ropes. That was when he enlisted the services of Robert Garcia, who, starting with a thrilling knockout victory over Jesus Soto Karass, transformed El Chino as a fighter. That win began a four-fight winning streak that culminated with the victory over Broner and finally landed Maidana a world crown. Sandwiched between those bouts were stoppages of Martin Ángel Martínez and Josesito López and with each 14 MAYDAY FOR JACK SUMNER assignment, Maidana has shown increased versatility and improved boxing skills to compliment his heavy hands and penchant for brawling. That run of form is also the most impressive of any potential Mayweather adversary this side of the great promotional divide. Fans may clamour for the Pacquiao fight, or a meeting between Floyd and Timothy Bradley, but of the options at Mayweather’s consideration for May 3rd, Top Rank fighters were off limits. Of the choice between Maidana and Amir Khan – expected to be unveiled as the opponent before Maidana’s name was ‘picked’ – Maidana is far more deserving of the fight. Khan is 2-2 with a stoppage defeat in his last four bouts and without a convincing win over a ranked contender. That Khan decisi ۙY