Mayweather vs. Maidana 2 Undercard: Schedule, Top Storylines Ahead of Main Event

There are two very passionate sides to the intense debate about the quality of boxing in 2014, but there's one thing everyone can agree on. 

The rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana is undeniably compelling. 

Anything featuring "Money," the undefeated pound-for-pound champion and one of the two most popular boxers in the world, is going to draw a major audience. But there's an added bonus with Maidana on the other side of the ring. The Argentine made it clear in May that, at the very least, he can make things incredibly exciting inside the ring, which is something most of Floyd's other 45 victims couldn't say. 

The first fight was a thrilling, back-and-forth brawl. The rematch should be no different. Let's take a look at everything you need to know about the fight, as well as some things to watch for once the bell is rung. 

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

Fight Date: Saturday, September 13, 2014

Schedule: PPV card starts at 8 p.m. ET.

Odds: Floyd Mayweather (1-8), Marcos Maidana (5-1), per OddsShark.com

How Will the Pace of the Fight Play Out?

If it's up to Maidana, fast and chaotic. When these two touched gloves in May, "El Chino" immediately made clear his game plan: Don't let up, throw as many punches as possible and don't let Mayweather use his quickness or length. 

Maidana threw an amazing 100 punches in the opening round and ended up throwing more than twice as many (858 to 426) as Mayweather over the entirety of the fight, per CompuBox's stats. He was obviously far less efficient (Mayweather still landed nine more punches), but it was clear he wanted to attack until he ran out of gas—which he ultimately did.

On the other side of the ring, while "Money" doesn't mind a brawl, he would rather use his versatility to utilize his quickness and super boxing skills to pick Maidana apart, as he recently discussed, via press release (h/t FightHype.com):

"

I think that every time that Maidana has gone out and fought opponents, other opponents and even myself, he's done the same thing. Whereas out of the 45 that I've faced, I was able to do different things. I can box.  I can counter punch.  I can box on the move.  I can counter punch on the move. The only way that he can fight is to slug.

"

Whoever is able to impose their style will have a strong advantage in the rematch. If it resembles the first six rounds of the first fight, Maidana will be in great position so long as he can remain energized. If it resembles the last six, Mayweather will put on yet another virtuoso clinic. 

Can Money Quiet the Doubters?

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Of Mayweather's 46 wins, just three have come down to a mixed decision from the judges: a split-decision win against Oscar De La Hoya, and majority-decision victories against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Maidana. 

Most will agree that the latter was easily the closest of that trio. Of 28 unofficial scorecards, via boxrec.com, 16 had the fight within two points, while one scored it as a draw. 

Eric Jamison/Associated Press

As a result of the narrow fight, there is some doubt surrounding Mayweather, who turned 37 in February. As he noted in a recent press conference, via Boxing.com's Robert Ecksel, he's feeling disrespected:

"

My back is always against the wall with Team Maidana. You must realize, Floyd Mayweather is not just fighting a fighter, I’m fighting against the world, I’m fighting against the critics, I’m fighting against the media, I’m fighting against everybody.

"

Perhaps the last time Mayweather was in this kind of position was the only other time he has fought a rematch. 

In 2002, before he had become a megastar, "Money" defeated Jose Luis Castillo via unanimous decision. Not everyone was nearly as convinced, however—HBO's Harold Lederman had Castillo winning, 115-111. 

With lingering skepticism about his performance, Mayweather took the rematch and once again won unanimously, this time on Lederman's card, as well. 

Now, he's out to do the same. Even though Floyd won the first match, many believe that Maidana has the power and unusual style to pull off what would be an astonishing upset. If history is any indication, though, Mayweather will only thrive off the doubt, leaving no question marks about his ability inside the ring.