Floyd Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana 2: Latest Projections for Main Event Rematch

It doesn't happen often, but Floyd Mayweather has something to prove. 

"Money" isn't just undefeated—he's hardly been challenged. In 46 wins, he has 26 knockouts, 17 unanimous-decision victories and just three wins via a type of mixed decision. Two of those—a split-decision win over Oscar De La Hoya and a majority-decision win over Saul "Canelo" Alvarez—are generally considered more results of judging errors rather than close fights.

The third?

Mayweather's last time in the ring, a majority-decision brawl against Marcos Maidana. 

Isaac Brekken/Associated Press

Two judges scored the fight comfortably in favor of Mayweather, 117-111 and 116-112, while the third scored it dead even at 114-114. And to most, the final scorecard felt fair. Mayweather certainly won the fight, but Maidana's bull-in-a-china-shop style undoubtedly gave the champ fits. 

Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix noted a rare stat from CompuBox, while even Mayweather acknowledged that Maidana gave him more competition than he's used to seeing:

Mayweather is 37 years old. He's fighting just the second rematch of his career, and he's doing it against a man who finally made him look mortal for long stretches. For the first time in years, there is doubt encircling one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters ever. 

It's a new situation for Mr. Money, but the lasting image from MGM Grand is going to be the same as always: both of his hands raised in the air. 

As he explained to MLive.com's David Mayo, his versatility will be crucial in making that happen: 

"

What I can do, what makes me a little different than any other fighter, is I'm well-rounded and very versatile, as far as I can box, I can counterpunch, I can bang, I can do a little bit of everything. That's why I'm at the pinnacle in the sport right now. Can he switch up anything? I don't really think so. I mean, that's just my gut feeling.

"

The first time around, Mayweather seemed a bit shellshocked by Maidana's ferocious, bully style. But during the second half of the fight, he started to figure things out, get off the ropes, use his quickness, punish "El Chino" with his right hand and eventually win the fight. 

Mayweather is known for his unbelievable defense, sharp intelligence and ability to adapt on the fly inside the ring. Give him four months to prepare for what could be described as the most difficult competition of his career, and he's going to have an impenetrable game plan. 

It isn't going to end via knockout—he's had just one of those in the last six years—but it will be a much more comfortable 12 rounds for the undisputed champ this time around.