LAS VEGAS // Floyd Mayweather Jr, the five-division world champion, said he does not expect to find a “pushover” across the ring from him when he fights Marcos Maidana in a WBC/WBA welterweight title unification bout on Saturday night at the MGM Grand.
Mayweather, who has a 45-0 record with 26 knockouts, is considered one of the best defensive fighters in history, but he is a natural welterweight. Some say that Maidana moved up too quickly from the 130-pound level to the 147-pound division.
[ In pictures: Floyd Mayweather Jr trains for bout with Marcos Maidana ]
“Everybody thinks he’s just going to be a pushover, but I don’t think so,” Mayweather, 37, said while preparing for the lucrative fight.
Scheduled for 12 rounds, the fight will unify the WBC welterweight title held by Mayweather and Maidana’s WBA welterweight crown.
Mayweather is guaranteed a purse of US$32 million (Dh117.5m) while Maidana will receive $1.5m.
“That’s why I’m training hard and I’m pushing myself to the limit every day,” Mayweather said. “If he brings his best, maybe he will be the first guy that actually makes me dig in my bag of tricks and pull out my ‘A’ game.
“Hopefully, he will make me bring out my ‘A’ game, because my whole career all I had to use was a ‘D’ and ‘C’ game to beat every guy.”
Maidana, who won his most recent bout, in December, with a unanimous decision against the heavily favoured American Adrien Broner to claim the WBA welterweight title, is known for his all-around skill and blistering power.
Asked what he thought the Argentine slugger did best in the ring, Mayweather quickly replied: “Well, he punches extremely hard if he has an 80 per cent knock-out ratio.
“That’s obviously his best attribute, but a lot of times when a guy’s swinging a lot of big shots and they’re not landing, you get fatigued like that.
“I may be the hardest puncher he ever fought. He hasn’t been hit by me yet, so we’ll just have to see if he’s the hardest puncher.”
Mayweather, who out-boxed Saul Canelo Alvarez in his most recent bout in September to take the Mexican’s WBA and WBC super welterweight titles, has repeatedly spoken about the need for patience against Maidana.
“Maidana is hungry, he’s ready and he has a great knock-out ratio,” said the brash American, who is nicknamed “Money” for his flamboyant lifestyle.
“It’s all about keeping composure and sticking to the game plan.”
Maidana, 30, has an impressive professional record of 35-3 with 31 knock-outs. He oozed confidence ahead of the fight while conceding he is a big underdog.
“I know people think I’m going to lose, but I come to win and I’m not afraid of anybody or anything,” Maidana said. “I have the support of the Latino people and I’m coming to win.”
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