By Radio Rahim
Former two division world champion Marcos Maidana (35-5, 31KOs) is rapidly approaching the point of a one-year layoff.
Concerns have been raised after recent photos of Maidana surfaced on the internet, and the boxer appears to have gained quite a bit of weight.
Maidana had three tough fights in less than a year, with his big win over Adrien Broner and then back to back Showtime pay-per-view fights against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
After that rough schedule, the Argentinian puncher wanted to take some time off to relax with his family.
Once he returns, his trainer Robert Garcia admits that it won't be easy - because Maidana will need at least three to four months just to shed off the excessive weight he's gained during the layoff.
"When he comes back, it won't be easy. If he gained that much weight it won't be easy. It'll take three to four months just to get the weight off. I don't expect him to want to fight anytime soon, so we're just waiting to see what he wants to do," Garcia said to BoxingScene.com.
Because of the weight gain, and being 32-years-old, Garcia strongly warns that Maidana will need to make a decision - regarding his return to the ring - sooner than later.
"At his age and at the stage that he's at, he needs to do something soon - because the longer he waits the more weight he's going to gain and the less people are going to remember him. Even now, almost a year since his last fight - he became a superstar. People are always asking about him. Everybody still wants to see him fight," Garcia said.
"There were a few fights on the table for him. Some nice fights for real good money, and he just didn't want to take them. He just wanted to take some time off to enjoy his family. I don't blame him. He had three tough fights and needed some time off."
"But he needs to make a decision soon because the longer he takes the harder it's going to be."