Las Vegas – Floyd Mayweather was in a typically bullish mood ahead of Saturday's world title rematch with Argentine slugger Marcos Maidana, declaring: “Line them up like bowling pins so I can knock them down.”
But he did concede that their May encounter, which bubbled without ever exploding before going to the judges' scorecards, had been “very interesting” – tacit acknowledgement from the champion and best pound-for-pound fighter that Maidana had offered a severe test.
Mayweather, 37, almost never gives rematches, but he said he couldn't wait to get another crack at Maidana, who outpunched the American in the first fight but still ended with a majority-decision loss.
“My job is to go out there and just be me and do what I do,” Mayweather said ahead of the Las Vegas showdown.
“You all seen this a thousand times, over and over again. 'This guy is going to beat Mayweather. He's the one, he's young, a hungry lion. He's a veteran, he's got power.'
“Line them up like bowling pins so I can continue to knock them down.”
Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Mayweather (46-0, 26 KOs) and challenger Maidana (35-4, 31 KOs) will square off for the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council welterweight crowns.
This is just the second rematch Mayweather has given since turning pro in 1996.
“I am not one to give second chances in the ring,” Mayweather said. “He deserves a rematch.
“The first fight was very interesting. Hopefully this fight is a lot more exciting.”
