*** For the latest Floyd Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana 2 fight updates, including up-to-the-minute main event coverage, click here. ***
Tonight (Sat., Sept. 13, 2014) marks another "Moment"-ous occasion.
After a gritty battle four months ago in May that saw the undefeated champion retain his numerous boxing titles via majority decision, pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather (46-0) will once again face his toughest challenger in a decade, Argentine power-puncher Marcos Maidana, later this evening inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
MMAmania will deliver LIVE coverage of "Mayweather vs. Maidana 2," starting with the Showtime pay-per-view (PPV) broadcast at 8 p.m. ET right here.
Two more belts will be on the line on the four-fight under card when WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Leo "The Earthquake" Santa Cruz faces Manuel Roman, while IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez takes on The Money Team's Mickey Bey.
And to open the PPV card, the powerful Alfredo Angulo will test the waters at Middleweight against soft touch James De La Rosa.
But, you're not shelling out this kind of dosh for that. You're here for the rematch; therefore, let's see if we can't predict how it'll go.
Here goes nothing:
Name: Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Age: 37
Record: 46-0, 26 KO
Last Five Fights: Marcos Maidana (majority decision win), Saul Alvarez (majority decision win), Robert Guerrero (unanimous decision win), Miguel Cotto (unanimous decision win), Victor Ortiz (knockout, round four)
Notable Victories: Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Oscar de la Hoya, Zab Judah, Jose Luis Castillo (twice), Diego Corrales
VS.
Name: Marcos Maidana
Age: 31
Record: 35-4, 31 KO
Last Five Fights: Floyd Mayweather (majority decision loss), Adrien Broner (unanimous decision win), Josesito Lopez (technical knockout, round six), Angel Martinez (knockout, round three), Jesus Soto Karass (technical knockout, round eight)
Notable Victories: Adrien Broner, Erik Morales, Victor Cayo, Victor Ortiz
THE REMATCH
The story of the last fight was Maidana burying Mayweather in activity, while "Money" minimized damage and slammed home counter shots. Maidana's success in the early going gives the impression that all he needs to do is maintain the ridiculous output he unleashed in the opening rounds. His camp seems to be of the same opinion, emphasizing the improvements they're making to his cardio and the benefits of an extra three weeks of training compared to last time.
The complicating factor is Mayweather's impeccable adaptability. He managed to get the hang of circling away from the ropes and landed some quality punches. Although none of them seemed to trouble Maidana, they definitely halted his advance and impressed the judges.
My gut wants to say Maidana pulls the upset just because it would justify what I've been saying for a while: That volume punching combined with an attitude that landing on the arms and shoulders is acceptable is the way to defeat Mayweather ... especially since he's been less and less mobile as time goes by.
And you know what? I think I'll listen to it.
One of the big takeaways from the first fight is that Floyd can't hurt Maidana. Marcos can throw over a hundred punches a round for a good portion of the fight and had a surprising amount of success moving Floyd to the ropes. It'll be rough, it'll be close, and it'll be dirty, but I think the Argentinian's implacable advance can earn him the upset of the year.
The (Bold) Prediction
Marcos Maidana defeats Floyd Mayweather via controversial split decision, forcing a tremendously lucrative grudge match in May 2015.