Floyd Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana 2: Scorecard Predictions for Title Rematch
Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. has seen what "El Chino" Marcos Rene Maidana has to offer, and he knows it's not good enough to give him his first professional loss. Maidana has one style and approach. He doesn't have the ability to adjust and remain effective.
In the video below, Mayweather says, "He [Maidana] can't fight any better."
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Early indications are that Maidana will try to conserve energy in the rematch. In an interview during a pre-fight press conference, Maidana was asked if he got tired in the first fight. He said, “Yes. I did. I came out strong the first six or seven rounds, and after that I had to take a break and catch my breath a little bit. I had to pace myself. I have to not get as anxious for this fight.”
Maidana's only chance to win is to rush Mayweather and smother him. The moment he gives Mayweather space, he'll be giving him the opportunity to pick him apart.
Mayweather Promotions' middleweight contender J'Leon Love thinks the fight will be a good one but sees Money coming out on top, of course.
Barring an unforeseen decline in skills or physical attributes, Mayweather will win the rematch on September 13 easily.
Here's how the fight should progress.
The Early Rounds
Mayweather allowed Maidana to gain confidence early in the last fight. Though Money was never in trouble, he did allow Maidana to dictate the pace. That won't happen in the rematch. Expect Money to be more elusive early and to set the tone with body shots when the fighters do stand close.
Maidana has never taken body shots well, and you better believe Mayweather and his camp know that. The few times Adrien Broner dug to Maidana's body, it bothered El Chino. Amir Khan dropped Maidana with a well-placed shot to the midsection in their bout.
Operation Slow Chino Down will begin by putting money in the bank with shots to the midsection to zap Maidana's energy.
Predicted Score After Three Rounds: 30-27 Mayweather
Rounds 4-6
Sensing a determined and more focused Mayweather in front of him, Maidana will try to crank up the intensity, but Money will be ready for the increase in energy.
He'll utilize more of the lateral movement he showed against Maidana in the latter rounds of their first fight. By mixing in the rhythm-disrupting jabs to the stomach and blisteringly quick straight right leads, Mayweather will break Maidana mentally in this segment of the fight.
Don't be shocked to see Maidana stunned. It probably won't be enough for Money to try and pursue a knockout, but it will be the exclamation point on a truly dominant first six rounds for the pound-for-pound king.
Predicted Score After Six Rounds: 60-54 Mayweather
Rounds 7-9
With the fight almost completely in the bag, Mayweather will take a round off to ensure he doesn't slow down in the latter rounds. Doing this will give Maidana an opening to do his best work.
It won't be much, but for at least one round between the seventh and ninth, Maidana will emulate the busy work that brought him some success in the first fight.
Don't expect Floyd to be hurt by the wild barrage, but it will score, and Maidana will win his first round of the fight.
Predicted Score After Nine Rounds: 89-82 Mayweather
Rounds 10-12
To close the show, Mayweather will make certain he wins at least two of the last three rounds. By employing enough movement and utilizing his long arms to stop Maidana in his tracks, he'll keep the proper distance to frustrate his opponent.
When the final bell rings, Maidana will claim a second round from the judges based on activity, but there will be no question as to who deserves to win.
Predicted Final Scorecard: 118-110 Mayweather
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