The 31 year-old has purposely took an extended break from the sport since losing back-to-back fights against Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2014, and once Maidana ties the not this month, ‘Chino’ is then going to begin to focus on his eagerly-awaited comeback.
Maidana proved in his first fight with Mayweather that he deserves to share the ring with the very top names that the sport has to offer and hopes to lure Garcia up to welterweight in order to seal a high-profile clash that could lead on to another world title shot.
“As you know the last few years Marcos has had a tough career, not only because of the great opponents he faced, but also due to the fact that he trains in the US which means that every time he had a fight he had to stay away from his family at least two months. So he needed a good rest after facing Mayweather twice, and since he has been very active since 2009, it was the perfect time to do so,” Contursi exclusively explained to World Boxing News.
“Marcos has also planned his wedding during this resting time so he’s getting married next April 25th and then he’s thinking of boxing again around next September. We always talk with Al Haymon and he has always given Marcos great treatment. At first Al wanted Marcos to fight in the first semester of this year but he understood the desire to rest.
“Regarding opponents, the only one Marcos has specifically mentioned was Danny Garcia which was first said about three months ago. I’ve let Al know about it and who wouldn’t like that fight?”
Asked whether a future move to 154lbs could be on the cards for Maidana, Contursi added: “I think Maidana is always considered a top contender so it’s possible that we see him again in a great fight this year, but I’m not sure about super welterweight. Marcos is not a huge welterweight so moving up to 154 lbs is not a logical move,” he said.
Target Garcia has recently overcome fellow-140lb titlist Lamont Peterson in a closely-fought contest that many thought ‘Swift’ may have been edged out of, and barring a rematch with the IBF champion, a move up to 147 to face Maidana is a distinct possibility.
