Pound-for-pound, “king” Floyd Mayweather Jr has what he considers the ideal strategy when he puts his perfect record on the line today against power-puncher Marcos Maidana.
“The game plan is to stay in the pocket. Make the guy miss and make the guy pay,” says Mayweather, who is the highest-paid athlete in North American sports, earning an estimated US$85 million a year, according to Forbes magazine.
The 37-year-old undefeated American is to be a 12-1 favorite when he defends his World Boxing Council welterweight crown against the World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Maidana in a unification bout at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.
Photo: AFP
Mayweather has won championship belts in five divisions and remains undefeated in 45 career fights.
He is a defensive-minded fighter who beats his opponents with Olympic-style tactics — racking up points with the judges.
His counterpunching strategy may not make for exciting knockouts, but it has served him well during his 18-year career.
“Is Marcos Maidana one of the best in the sport? Absolutely,” Mayweather said. “But I am the best there is. We are still wondering who’s going to solve the ‘MayVinci Code?’ But come Saturday I will find a way to win.”
The fight is the third of the 30-month, six-fight deal worth US$200 million-plus that Mayweather signed with pay-per-view outlet Showtime.
In his last fight, Mayweather became the unified super welterweight world champion by dominating Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 14 last year.
His fight against Alvarez was the highest-grossing pay-per-view bout of all time with revenues of more than US$150 million For today’s contest, Mayweather is guaranteed a purse of US$32 million, while Maidana is to receive US$1.5 million.
The 30-year-old Maidana (35-3, 31 KOs) will be making the first defense of his belt.
Some purists have a hard time getting excited for today’s fight.
Journeyman Maidana earned this shot by beating Adrien Broner for the WBA title in December last year. However, the heavy underdog has also lost to one of the fighters on the undercard, Amir Khan, who stopped Maidana in December 2010.
“Maidana is a predictable fighter,” said Floyd Mayweather Sr, who trains his son. “When I see Maidana, I see someone that Floyd can easily pick apart. Maidana may be able to punch strong, but here’s the thing — how you going to hit something you can’t catch.”
Today’s undercard features British superstar Khan squaring off against American Luis Collazo in a non-title fight that could put the winner in line to fight Mayweather in the fall.
Khan had thought he was on course to fight Mayweather on this card, but Mayweather plumped for facing Maidana instead.
The 27-year-old Khan is to end a 12-month hiatus today when he moves up to the welterweight division to face Collazo.
“He will be bigger than me on the night of the fight and at times I will have to dig deep,” Khan said.
There is also a non-title super-lightweight fight between Americans Adrien Broner and Carlos Molina.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely