By Chris Robinson
Marcos Maidana is a complex individual. His ferocious and relentless style inside of the ring is a stark contrast to his subdued and low key demeanor outside of the ropes but once you engage yourself in conversation with the Argentinean you get a look into the deep intellect he possesses.
Speaking from the Pound 4 Pound Boxing gym on the West side of Las Vegas last week after another hard day of training, Maidana gave his thoughts on some fellow pugilists near his weight class, some of whom he has faced or will be facing soon and others he is linked to because of talk within boxing circles.
On April 9th Maidana will make his third ring appearance in Las Vegas in his last four fights when he faces off with former three-division champion Erik Morales inside of the nearby MGM Grand. Morales was a terror in his prime years back when he held titles between 122 and 130 pounds but he is looked at as a sacrificial lamb by some as he goes up against the fierce-punching nature of Maidana.
Logic says we could be looking at a one-sided beat down but Maidana has nothing but admiration towards the Tijuana fighter.
"My respect is always genuine because I used to admire him," Maidana said of Morales. "He was one of my favorites because of his aggressive style. I really admire him and I respect him but once we are in the ring I lose respect for everyone."
Maidana endeared himself to the boxing world by playing his part in a thrilling twelve round war with WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan last December. Maidana would get dropped in the first round by a wicked body shot but recovered to give us a competitive battle and even staged a ferocious late-round rally before eventually dropping a close decision.
It was a heartbreaking defeat, but one that 'Chino' swears he is over.
"It didn't affect me. Of course I wanted to beat him, to have a win over Khan. But I liked my own performance and even though I was on the losing end I think it was kind of better than any other win," Maidana continued.
There is a wealth of talent in the junior welterweight class, with Khan rumored to be meeting WBC and WBO champion Timothy Bradley in the summer if successful against challenger Paul McCloskey next month and other challengers and champions such as Devon Alexander, Zab Judah, and Lucas Matthyse, amongst others, all looking to make moves of their own.
Maidana doesn't want to look past 'El Terrible' Morales but can't help but to think down the road when eyeing his future.
"God provide, if I beat Morales, which I will, I am expecting Bradley and I am expecting [Juan Manuel] Marquez," he said. "I am expecting Devon Alexander and any of them. Of course a rematch with Khan would be great but I don't think he will give it to me."
Marquez's name rings bells because Maidana had initially ventured to Mexico last month to work with the lightweight champion's trainer Nacho Beristain. But the Maidana-Beristain union was short-lived, as Marquez seemed to feel threatened by another star and potential foe entering his stable and Marcos was unceremoniously given the exit and has since teamed up with trainer Rudy Perez.
I asked Maidana if he has any ill will towards Marquez because of how everything played out.
"It's not hard feelings that I have for him but he made me feel bad at the time because of his comments," Maidana remarked. "Because he is my colleague, he is a fellow boxer, so he shouldn't put himself into my [business] because I already traveled to Mexico. But that's water under the bridge because things happen for a reason and I'm more than happy to be working with Rudy now."
Recently Maidana struck a chord with the public when he released a vicious statement directed towards Floyd Mayweather Jr., lambasting him for his braggadocios personality and his unwillingness to get in the ring and face fellow superstar Manny Pacquiao. Maidana noted that there was no place for Mayweather's antics in the sport and personally challenged the undefeated fighter to a duel down the road.
Weeks later and Maidana's feelings towards Mayweather have yet to change.
"Yes that's something that I said because they asked me. I am a quiet guy and I don't like the big-mouth guys. But of course I would be willing to face him because he is one of the best out there and I want to be the best and I have to be in the ring with the best."
