Maidana Expecting Many Big Exchanges With Josesito

By Francisco Salazar

Welterweight contender Marcos Maidana makes for exciting fights. Victor Ortiz. Amir Khan. Erik Morales.

One consistent thing about Maidana in those fights was his ability to change the fight with one punch. Whether it was a knockdown or a fighter getting hurt, Maidana was dangerous from the opening bell until that fighter was able to make it to the final bell.

Then there was that fight against Devon Alexander last February. Maidana was outboxed throughout 10 rounds in losing a wide decision to the southpaw Alexander.

Rather than rely on something that may not work, Maidana felt a change was needed to add another element to his power.

So far, so good with trainer Robert Garcia.

Maidana will fight Josesito Lopez this Saturday night in a scheduled 12 round bout at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. The bout is an anticipated match-up between two fighters with a fan-friendly style and will be for a minor title.

The bout will headline a Golden Boy Promotions card and will be televised live on Showtime.

Maidana (33-3, 30 KOs) will have Garcia in his corner on Saturday night when he steps inside the ring on Saturday night. Although he calls Buenos Aires, Argentina home, Maidana moved to Oxnard, CA, where he trains out of the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy.

Since having Garcia as a trainer, he has won his last two bouts. Never in a bad fight and in one of the best action fights of 2013, Maidana stopped Jesus Soto-Karass in the eighth round on September 15th. In his last bout on December 12th, Maidana knocked out Angel Martinez in the third round.

Although Maidana has been with Garcia for about a year, he believes he has become a better all-around fighter. Maidana understands he has exceptional power, but has improved on his boxing skills with Garcia and is confident he could apply that effectively during a fight.

“I have learned a lot under Robert Garcia,” Maidana told Boxingscene.com over the phone on Tuesday morning. “We have worked on a lot of things and I see the difference with what I have learned. I’ve worked hard in perfecting how to set up and throw punches. I will demonstrate what I have learned on Saturday night.”

Maidana will face the popular Lopez, who based on his grit, tenacity, and heart, is known as the “Riverside Rocky.” Lopez (30-5, 18 KOs) is coming off a fifth round stoppage loss at the hands of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 15th.

Fight fans and media alike have been eagerly anticipating what could be a war in the ring between the fighters, based on their styles and previous fights.

Along with Lopez, Maidana feels much more comfortable at 147 pounds. Maidana believes stylistically, his fight with Lopez will be a solid fight.

“I know this will be a good fight,” said Maidana, who shares in common with Lopez stoppage victories over Victor Ortiz. “I know Josesito will be well-prepared for this fight. He takes a punch and is a very good fighter. I have seen his fights and I anticipate a lot of exchanges with him for this fight.”

Maidana aims to have the same, if not more success as his fellow countrymen in Sergio Martinez and Lucas Matthysse of coming to the Oxnard area to train and win significant bouts in their career.

A victory over Lopez will solidify him as one of the better fighters at the welterweight division, where he could challenge a world title belt holder.

Although fight fans eagerly anticipate an all-out action war between Maidana and Lopez, it would be intriguing to see how well Maidana has improved under Garcia.

Regardless, fight fans and the sport of boxing will win out on Saturday should Maidana and Lopez live up to the hype on Saturday night. Maidana believes the hard work he put in during training camp for Lopez will be good for him and boxing.

“I sparred a lot against different styles during training camp. I’m in good condition and Oxnard is a great place to train because it is tranquil and the climate is good. I feel very good leading up to the fight on Saturday.”

Francisco A. Salazar has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. He also covers boxing for the Ventura County Star (CA) newspaper. He could be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on twitter at Salazar_soccer