Mayweather vs. Maidana 2: PPV Start Time, Undercard Odds and Picks
It takes a lot for boxing fans to tune out of a Floyd Mayweather pay-per-view, but the undercard for his rematch against Marcos Maidana may be doing just that.
When Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions announced the three fights that join Mayweather/Maidana 2 on the Showtime PPV event, most were left wanting more—a lot more. Fox Sports' Shaun King openly stated that he wasn't planning on buying the show after seeing the undercard:
ESPN.com's Dan Rafael also had less than flattering words to say to the matchmakers:
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Bleacher Report's Kevin McRae wrote that this is somewhat of a departure from what fans have come to expect from Mayweather-headlined PPVs:
"Mayweather has generally featured budding stars—Canelo Alvarez, Danny Garcia and more recently Leo Santa Cruz—and fighters who compete under his Mayweather Promotions banner on his undercards.
Viewed in this context, the Mayhem undercard is a disappointment.
It doesn’t feature much in the way of can’t-miss fights and probably isn’t going to move the needle very far in terms of generating additional money.
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Since expectations are already so low to begin with, maybe the undercard can spring a surprise or two and give fans some bang for the buck.
When: Saturday, Sept. 13, 8 p.m. ET
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Watch: Showtime PPV
PPV Undercard
| Featherweight | Leo Santa Cruz | Manuel Roman |
| Lightweight | Miguel Vazquez | Mickey Bey |
| Light Middleweight | Alfredo Angulo | James De La Rosa |
Predictions
Alfredo Angulo (-503) vs. James De La Rosa (+377)
This looks like a nice bounce-back fight for Alfredo Angulo. The 32-year-old has been TKO'd in the 10th round against two talented fighters in Erislandy Lara and Canelo Alvarez. Although Angulo wasn't particularly competitive in either bout, he remains a talented and exciting fighter.
James De La Rosa is more of a journeyman. He's had four fights in the last four years, taking a lengthy break after his win over Lenin Arroyo in October 2009.
This fight is an opportunity for De La Rosa to get noticed on the national stage. Nobody he's fought matches up with Angulo talent-wise.
Given Angulo's offensive style, De La Rosa could find an opening and land a couple of combination shots that sends his opponent to the canvas. More than likely, it will be a knockout victory for Angulo.
Prediction: Angulo via KO
Miguel Vazquez (-278) vs. Mickey Bey (+200)
Miguel Vazquez vs. Mickey Bey might not be the biggest mismatch of the night, but it's definitely up there. Bey has done little in his career beyond getting knocked out by John Molina in 2013. None of his wins are all that impressive, leaving many fans scratching their heads as to why he gets the chance to take on Vazquez.
Down the line, the 31-year-old could be in line for a fight of this magnitude. He's simply undeserving of it now.
Bey's manager, DeJuan Blake, thinks that his fighter shouldn't be dismissed offhandedly, per Boxing Scene's Luis Sandoval:
"You know what I feel? I feel everyone has a shot in this sport. It could take one shot but everyone has to take a challenge. At the end of the day you work hard to get in this position so being that you are in this position, you have to be able to go out there and perform at the best that you are able to perform.
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Confidence only goes so far. That won't close the talent gap between Bey and Vazquez.
The IBF lightweight champion should win a one-sided bout.
Prediction: Vazquez via unanimous decision
Leo Santa Cruz (-10000) vs. Manuel Roman (+2000)
On an undercard full of underwhelming bouts, this one stands out the most. You don't want to call this a joke because that would be too harsh, but it's ridiculous that this would be billed as a co-feature bout alongside Mayweather vs. Maidana.
Rafael tweeted out that he feels this fight is more about saving a little extra cash rather than giving fans the best possible card:
None of Roman's 23 bouts has gone to 12 rounds, and only twice has the 26-year-old fought to a 10th round. In his last seven fights, he's gone 3-2-2.
Santa Cruz said that he didn't handpick Roman since he leaves that stuff to his management team, per Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times:
The 26-year-old added that he's eying up a potential bout with Guillermo Rigondeaux next:
The only real drama here is whether Santa Cruz will win on points or by knockout. Only 15 of his 27 wins have come via KO, so it's not like he relies heavily on his power game. The champ will likely outclass Roman and do enough to win on the judges' scorecards.
Prediction: Santa Cruz via unanimous decision
Note: Odds are courtesy of Odds Shark.
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