Marcos Maidana Eyes Ring Return By Year's End

By Elisinio Castillo

Former two division world champion Marcos Maidana (35-5, 31 KOs) has been spending some time with his family back in Argentina, but now he's getting the itch to return to the ring.

Maidana had a very busy period, with three major fights from December 2013 to September 2014 - heading a huge event against Adrien Broner in Texas and two Showtime pay-per-view fights with Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The Argentina fighter is starting to get himself back in shape after putting on more than a few pounds during his time off.

"I'm riding a bike and I'm doing some sparring with Jacinto Baigorria (0-5), a friend. I almost never run. I'm just doing the bike and sparring in the municipal gymnasium of Margarita," Maidana told reporter Andres Mooney.

"Later on, I'll go to Los Angeles and then I'll start training. [Manager Sebastian] Contursi and other equipment are there. I heard something that a gym was opened there, or something like that, so I would be with [trainer] Robert [Garcia]."

"I think by the end of the year [I'll return]....in America and not in Argentina."

Maidana wants to fight the big names, but ruled out the possibility of facing Miguel Cotto or Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.

"No, they are too heavy for me. If I fight, I'm going to fight in my division. They are from another division. They are too big for me. I'll stay at welterweight," Maidana said.

Maidana said if everything goes well in his return, he's sees at least two or three more fights down the road.

"Two or three more, for sure. I'll see how I feel. If I make the first and in training I feel good, then yes. I've had tough fights, so I want to see how I am. I think I'm going to feel good again," Maidana said.