By Edward Chaykovsky
Marcos Maidana (35-4, 31KOs) is hungry to score a career-defining victory over WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (46-0, 26KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. This past May, Maidana gave Mayweather a lot of trouble in the ring but ultimately lost a twelve round majority decision. Now with a longer training camp, he hopes to close the book on Mayweather's unbeaten streak.
“I just know that I have to win. I’m concentrated on winning. I am going to take out any doubts in my mind about the first fight. I’ve adjusted now and I think I’ll be ready. I think I did get tired in the first fight. I have to pace myself a little better and this time around I will be better. If the knockout comes great, but I’m ready to go the distance as well. I’m ready to make history," Maidana said.
“I have to use my distance a little more and pick and choose my punches. I wasted too many punches last fight. I have to work my distance correctly and get leverage. I think Floyd got pressured by the press and I think that he knows the first fight was close so he’s giving me the rematch and I have to take full advantage.
“I actually had two full months to prepare this time. I worked very hard and that’s probably why I look a little skinnier this time. I think Floyd is going to run but I’m going to have to do a good job of cutting off the ring.”