In the recent episode on Showtime’s All Access, Maidana revealed part of his tactics to defeat Mayweather will involve using the blueprint from the Adrien Broner fight and targeting the pound for pound king’s body early.
If the Argentine can upset the odds this Saturday night at the boxing capital of the world, Maidana pointed out that newly-crowned WBO belt holder Pacquiao will be his next target.
Coach Robert Garcia joked on episode two, which was screened over the weekend, that Pacquiao’s mother was doing some sort of ‘witchcraft’ ringside for the Filipino’s win over Timothy Bradley, which then led ‘Chino’ to quip: ‘Not even witchcraft will save him’ – if Pacquiao is indeed to be his next test.
A good performance by Maidana at the MGM Grand may even put the two-weight title holder in with a chance of facing Pacquiao if Mayweather comes out on top – after Golden Boy President Oscar De La Hoya’s admission that he is looking to finally build bridges with Top Rank CEO Bob Arum and put on fights in a co-promotional capacity.
Pacquiao v Maidana does have all the hallmarks of a classic encounter for the fans, although most will almost certainly cry out for a fight between Mayweather and the Filipino eight-weight champion should ‘Money’ come through as expected and seize ‘The Moment.’
If De La Hoya’s out-reaching arm to Arum could be beginning of talks to get the two best welterweights of their generation in the ring at some point in the next eighteen months, I’m afraid Maidana may be best served accommodating Adrien Broner’s ongoing request for a return fight between the two.
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