Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer immediately announced his intention to make a fight between Broner and Maidana after the former overcame Paulie Malignaggi on Saturday night to claim the WBA welterweight belt.
Broner, 22, has been linked to a move back down to 135lbs where he holds the WBC version of the title, although Maidana, who is currently the interim WBA champion, is hopeful that ‘The Problem’ will step up to the plate and take up the challenge.
“I am the mandatory challenger so I have to face the WBA welterweight champion and it happens that Broner is who has the belt now,” Maidana told World Boxing News.
“Of course I want to fight him because I want be a world champion again so I have instructed my advisor to get it done ASAP and he is been doing some talking in New York this weekend.”
Maidana watched on as Broner struggled somewhat to negotiate a dogged Malignaggi at the weekend, despite bold claims that he would score a big knockout over the ‘Magic Man.'” ‘Chino’ was left unsure whether the Cincinnati man is ready for him on the evidence displayed in his recent performance, but hopes to find out none the less and put and end to Broner’s unbeaten run.
“Everybody knows that Broner is a skillful fighter and he showed some of his skills on Saturday,” said Maidana. “Yet like I always said, Paulie is a smart warrior and he prevented Broner from showing his brightest side.
“The mistake would now be for Broner to face me and you know that I am not a trash talker, but I will knock out Broner if I am in a ring with him. I think he would prefer to give the title away though and move back to 135lbs rather than fight me.
“Broner would fight in a totally different way (than versus Malignaggi) against me. He would run desperately and try to box me from the outside. He would probably hit me often, but I can take a punch so sooner or later I’ll catch him with a good one and he will go to sleep.”
Prior to Maidana gaining number one status to Broner’s new belt, fans had been dreaming of a big-hitting bout with compatriot Lucas Matthysse, who has recently pounded his way to the top of the light-welterweight rankings with some impressing stoppages. A South American slugfest with Matthysse would be a blockbuster fight for the knockout admirers and Maidana is adamant that any challenge from all comers would be met head on.
“I never refused to fight anybody and I still think the same way,” the former 140lb king stated when asked if he would take on Matthysse.
He then reiterated: “I always fight the best out there and there are many good fighters in the welterweight division at the moment, but the one who has the belt that I want is named Adrien Broner.”
