By Tonte Davies
Not many will find the news that Floyd Mayweather defeated Marcos Maidana, quite a surprise. Mayweather, 37, defeated Maidana, 30, who hails from Argentina, after a majority decision by the judges in what is tagged controversial. Many fans did not (and still don’t) agree with the announcement by the judges as they opine Maidana was better. Incidentally, the fight was tainted with so many controversies before and after the fight.
“If I had my gloves, I would’ve knocked him out,” Maidana said post-fight. This issue formed a major controversy surrounding the fight- Maidana had difficulties as to which gloves to wear. Mayweather and the Nevada Athletic Commission earlier rejected Maidana’s “original choice of Everlast gloves” according to a USA Today report. His [Maidana] gloves did not have enough padding in the knuckle area.
A second pair of gloves was rejected again, by Mayweather even though the NAC appeared to approve of it. Eventually, the hullabaloo was resolved several hours before the opening bell of the fight. But after the post-fight press conference, both parties continued to argue about the gloves. “Next time let me use my gloves,” was Maidana’s quick response to a Mayweather observation.
“Next time, just don’t hit me (below the belt) so much,” Mayweather said to Maidana. Prior to their banter, Mayweather told Maidana “you’re a great fighter and very tough competitor.” Mayweather went on to congratulate Maidana on the birth of his baby girl. “Congratulations on the new baby. She’s beautiful,” Mayweather is quoted as telling Maidana at the post-fight news conference.
Marcos Maidana during the post-fight presser demanded for a rematch to which Mayweather did not turn down. “Give me a (bleeping) rematch,” the Argentine insisted. Mayweather on the other hand, while standing at the podium, replied: “We can take it back down there right now if you want. Put the ring back up… it’s not a problem. If he feels he won, we can do it again in September.” As part of a deal with Showtime, Floyd Mayweather is scheduled to fight again in September
Maidana felt he won the fight and so did the 16,268 sellout crowd. First of all, Maidana was carried on his trainer’s shoulders around the ring with the fight ended. Then, the crowd largely partisan in favour of Maidana, booed volubly when the result was announced. Maidana threw 858 punches compared to Mayweather’s 425, which were half as many punches as Maidana.
The fight held at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. Mayweather’s win (46-0) is his 46th win in 46 career fights with 26 KOs: a personal best for Mayweather. The pugilist made a whopping $32 million for the bout retaining both WBC and WBA welterweight titles in what was described as a unification match. Maidana’s fight record remains (35-4, 31 KOs) and is guaranteed $1.5 million from the fight. He [Maidana] was disappointed when the ring announcer, Jimmy Lennon Jr. pronounced Floyd Mayweather, winner of the fight.