It's funny. Dontae was talking about the problems HBO was having when it comes to making fights now.
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It's funny. Dontae was talking about the problems HBO was having when it comes to making fights now.
Agree to an extent, but Kovalev and Duva don't get a pass for not making the fight when it appeared possible.
A viewpoint is a routine? Its my opinion and it hasn't changed... and no, I won't be searching through your posts either. I see you trying to deflect from your obvious issues with someone not agreeing with you, as I said, insecurities. Its runs rampant here Bruh, you are one of many who seem to believe they are the beginning and end all authorities on specific topics, especially boxing, and that has been proven tonight with your defensive posture as I continued to not fall in line with your 'expert' view points...
The minute someone doesn't fall in line with the 'experts' they are either: trolling, have a 'retarded' routine, the one that actually makes me laugh the loudest... they don't know shit about boxing!
So, tell me, what makes my 'routine' retarded?
All good though Bruh... Like I said, I'm not an insecure Dude like you guys, I see you for what you are, and the double standard viewpoint I have has actually been validated by you tonight so....
Again, have a good night Bruh...
Neither do I Bruh. The thing with the media, there are always additional factors that are not presented, and at times come out later.... Thats why for the most part I reserve the notion of a fighter ducking another, etc., in the event the whole story comes out later. No need at all for Kovalev to 'fear' Stevenson... makes no sense at all...
I know you won't because you were lying, and we both know the posts don't exist.
Nah, you made a baseless claim, and I called you on it.
Ha ha @ defensive. You're the one whining about double standards/agendas/narratives.
I said you're trolling because you're trying compare Ward (who is gunning for the of king 175) fighting tuneups to GGG (who is fighting a guy 2 divisions below his.).
So, tell me, what makes my 'routine' retarded?
All good though Bruh... Like I said, I'm not an insecure Dude like you guys, I see you for what you are, and the double standard viewpoint I have has actually been validated by you tonight so....
Again, have a good night Bruh...
See above.
Actually, I made an assumption no doubt, but no, I DON'T know it's not true, because your post history really isn't that relevant for me to search for it. If I was wrong so be it, but I'm not so mentally weak that I can't move on from that... Not that important to me, but I'm glad you got your 'win' with that bullshit Bruh. Kudos to you...
So... stating an opinion about a double standard is now described as 'whining'? Why the hell would I whine about something that doesn't personally affect me in any way?!?!? More insecure attempts to lessen an opinion you don't agree with, with a really weak ass attempt at an insult... Pathetic, juvenile and laugable!! Try harder! Please!
I'm trolling because I made a statement about the last year and a half of fights which you want to try to eliminate in the equation and move the goal post by projecting my comparison to the NEXT fight, because the last 3 bums Ward has fought validates my contention and shits on yours... and because of that 'I' am now defined as trolling? More weak insecure bullshit Bruh...
Yep... you are definitely a defensive insecure Dude and frankly, you have it worse than most of the BGOL smartest guy in the room experts I've come across... WOW...
Pitiful trait to have my friend... a really bad one... Damn...
Where am I eliminating anything? Ward moved up, and wanted to get acclimated to the new weight. He didn't lay down the gauntlet and go calling for Kovalev saying "anyone at 175 can get it". Which is exactly what GGG did before backtracking.
My 'contention' is GGG has fought NOTHING but bums, and dodging challenges at 168. There is no refuting that. But, be my guest and try.
He's not a 168 fighter and no one in his division wants to fight him. Cool, Ward is NOW fighting Kovalev, because the 168 division aint' shit! Not disrespecting him for that fight at all, BUT you try to cop please for the worse than Bums he has fought lately by deflecting to his NEXT fight. My entire point was, GGG is constantly railed for fighting what you call bums, but it's good smart business for Ward to do it, and Smith and Dude tonight were embarrassingly low classs tomato cans...
Regardless of the fact of what GGG said, he is still smaller than Ward, and Ward would much rather have fought him than Kovelev, which is why he called GGG out first! No one at 160 wants to fight GGG either, none of the 'champions' do, and thats his division.
I hope Ward beats the Russian, but again I ask, who has he really beaten besides a B Level Froch and a drained Dawson? You act like he's fought all first ballot HOFers in his career too Bruh? What has he done over the past 5 years to warrant a top 3 PFP rating?
As far as GGG goes, he can only fight who wants to fight him? Name one top flight fighter in his own division he's dodged?
Nah, if GGG were sincere about cleaning out 160 I'd be fine w/ it. But he's not, as it's clear w/ his negotiations w/ several B-List 168lbers. The 168lb division is pretty weak right now, but I woulda been ok w/ DeGale or Jack.
He only called out GGG after GGG made his comments then made excuses and fight stipulations. But, yea GGG is a much easier bout for Ward than Kovalev. That isn't on Ward though. Blame Abel for running his mouth.
Ward fought the ALL of the top guys in his division save for Bute. And Ward beat the man that STEAMROLLED Bute. I agree 168 in the late 2000's and early 2010's wasn't murderers row, but it was a pretty stacked division. Froch, Kessler, Abraham, and Bika were all solid contenders or world champions and Ward breezed through them.
I know that BJS, Jacobs, Canelo, Cotto, and a slew of others are dodging GGG, but that doesn't excuse him from fighting Boxinco Champions (Monroe,) and 147lb guys. Fighting a guy 2 divisions lower than you is shameless imo.
Name fighters who wanted to fight GGG in his weight class that he didn't fight and deferred to fight the list you named?
And again, the only reason Ward was able to fight those guys at 68 is because they were willing to fight him. Can't hold GGG accountable for not beating the top guys in his division if they don't want to fight him... And all of the Guys you mention that he has fought were all better than that 40 year old bum Ward tried to pass off as a legitimate challenge tonight...
Did you NOT see where I mentioned all of the top (for lack of a better word) guys at 160 are dodging him? Did you NOT see me mention the names of Badou Jack and James DeGale's names as being solid/quality guys just one division up? Degale woulda been especially interesting because he offered to drop weight and meet GGG at less than 168. Lastly, depending on what sources you believe, Chris Eubank supposedly wanted the fight.
Trust me, I fully understand that GGG is avoided, but he isn't so avoided that he had to go 2 whole divisions lower to find an opponent.
Yep... and I also noticed when mentioning the murders row of fighters Ward has beaten, you some how missed the quotation marks around describing them as top fighters. The fighters in GGG's division are 'Top' fighters, and in Wards division they were Top fighters... I actually understand thought... have been for pages now Bruh...
Ok... So, out of the names you mentioned, who brings the most bread in a fight, Brook, Degale or Jack? For years didn't one of the BGOL favorites not fight certain high risk lower reward types of fighters, due to the fact that.... 'if it doesn't make money it doesn't make any sense?' Wasn't that individual celebrated for being a 'great business man'? I remember THAT fighter being called out quite a bit but not fighting certain fighters...
So, why is it now a double...
Nevermind Bruh, you are right, certain fighters should fight any fighter who calls their name, but 'certain' others are smart business men to fight the fighters who bring them the most money...
I stand corrected Bruh...
Yep... and I also noticed when mentioning the murders row of fighters Ward has beaten, you some how missed the quotation marks around describing them as top fighters. The fighters in GGG's division are 'Top' fighters, and in Wards division they were Top fighters... I actually understand thought... have been for pages now Bruh...
Here we go w/ this make believe agenda stuff...I added the quotes it because they are dodging the fight. It wasn't meant as a slight to GGG, but more so as a slight to them.
Ok... So, out of the names you mentioned, who brings the most bread in a fight, Brook, Degale or Jack? For years didn't one of the BGOL favorites not fight certain high risk lower reward types of fighters, due to the fact that.... 'if it doesn't make money it doesn't make any sense?' Wasn't that individual celebrated for being a 'great business man'? I remember THAT fighter being called out quite a bit but not fighting certain fighters...
Please stop lumping me in with "the general BGOL consensus" I don't speak on their behalf. So if I didn't make the statement, please don't act like it applies to me.
I don't care about their money. None of it is going to me. I want to see the best fight the best or at least fight credible opponents. And before you mention the Ward fight again, I said SEVERAL pages back that this fight was a waste, but evenso it was a tuneup. This wasn't a fight for Ward to stake his claim as LHW King
Everyone knew this was a tune up. Dude cleaned out 168 and slowly moved to 175 while dealing with promoter issues. Now that he is with new management, he set his eyes on the supposed baddest dude in the division above him (Kovalev).
Meanwhile Mike Garcia dealt with the same bullshit with Arum and is now trying to fight at 135 and not even entertaining a super fight with Crawford...Ward can fight whomever he wants to get ready to fight a superfight, P4P fight with Kovalev. Ain't no double standards. Dude isn't running away from the challenge nor is he afraid to move up. You think he was gonna fight a tough fighter? He has been pretty clear from the jump, he needed live rounds to shake the rust.
Meanwhile Mike Garcia dealt with the same bullshit with Arum and is now trying to fight at 135 and not even entertaining a super fight with Crawford...Ward can fight whomever he wants to get ready to fight a superfight, P4P fight with Kovalev. Ain't no double standards. Dude isn't running away from the challenge nor is he afraid to move up. You think he was gonna fight a tough fighter? He has been pretty clear from the jump, he needed live rounds to shake the rust.
I'll call out GGG all day cause Loud mouth Sanchez and his fans act like dude is the anti-Floyd. GGG is low risk-big reward. He wants to fight smaller fighters and take easy fights. C'mon man, he called out Floyd, a fighter who barely weighs in at 150 for junior middle weight fights. Meanwhile, he tries to act like Ward isn't a draw (but is about to be in probably the most anticipated fight of the year).
GGG is nice but is nothing but an opportunist. He acts like he is hungry for the "big money fights" but Floyd was willing to move up from 135 straight to 147 to Fight Oscar/Mosley and moved up to 154 in a heartbeat to get to Oscar. Floyd was willing to go up as needed when he was hungry. Dude was calling out everyone that was worth something (difference is GGG is calling on smaller fighters, Floyd was calling out bigger ones).
Now once Floyd hit 900,000 PPB as the "A" side (Hatton), this ninja was picking and choosing. But he had to give up damn near everything in terms of negotiation and stipulations with Oscar to get it. GGG is avoiding fighters after seeing 97K PPV.
Finally, the top fighters Ward has fought were much better than the "top fighters" GGG has fought. Might be a function of the 160 division now (and GGG is avoided at 160 no doubt) but let's be real here. GGG is wasting his talent.
GGG is nice but is nothing but an opportunist. He acts like he is hungry for the "big money fights" but Floyd was willing to move up from 135 straight to 147 to Fight Oscar/Mosley and moved up to 154 in a heartbeat to get to Oscar. Floyd was willing to go up as needed when he was hungry. Dude was calling out everyone that was worth something (difference is GGG is calling on smaller fighters, Floyd was calling out bigger ones).
Now once Floyd hit 900,000 PPB as the "A" side (Hatton), this ninja was picking and choosing. But he had to give up damn near everything in terms of negotiation and stipulations with Oscar to get it. GGG is avoiding fighters after seeing 97K PPV.
Finally, the top fighters Ward has fought were much better than the "top fighters" GGG has fought. Might be a function of the 160 division now (and GGG is avoided at 160 no doubt) but let's be real here. GGG is wasting his talent.
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Please tell me you aren't talking about Margarito.
I said why I used the quotes in the very post you replied to.
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I'm trying not to jump in ...but when Andre Ward entered into the Super Six he was an unknown underdog and no one picked him as a winner.
He fought Edison Miranda, Kessler (world champ and favorite), Arthur Abraham, Carl Froch, then Chad Dawson (and Edwin Rodriguez was no punk and undefeated when they fought). You can't really compare their competition bruh, it's better off just saying that GGG is avoided and that's why his record looks like a bunch of nobodies and C-list fighters.
Chad Dawson had Scalps on his record (Glen Johnson, Tarver twice, Benard, Adamek, etc..). He was no simple B-list fighter.
He fought Edison Miranda, Kessler (world champ and favorite), Arthur Abraham, Carl Froch, then Chad Dawson (and Edwin Rodriguez was no punk and undefeated when they fought). You can't really compare their competition bruh, it's better off just saying that GGG is avoided and that's why his record looks like a bunch of nobodies and C-list fighters.
Chad Dawson had Scalps on his record (Glen Johnson, Tarver twice, Benard, Adamek, etc..). He was no simple B-list fighter.
Please feel free to chime in. We're phrasing it differently but you are echoing my thoughts/and what others have stated.
I am in total agreement with you.
Comeback for 4th or 5th fight, nicca please, Ward knocked out Dawson in Sept of 2012, had shoulder surgery plus promotional issues and didn't fight again until November of 2013 when he fought Rodriguez, had more promotional issues and finally came back to fight in June of 2015, had his second fight in March of 2016. So you want a guy who has been inactive the better part of 4 years to jump in and fight murderers row. You acting like he don't have a contract to fight the number 1 light heavy in the world in November after Ward stated that he needed at least 3 fights to get acclimated to the new weight plus knock of the rust
Tune up for 2 years
, I just typed facts and you can look them up yourself.
Ward fought some good fighters but none of them are A List. Dawson also had to come down in weight. Again, I am a huge Ward fan and a GGG fan, but lets not act like Ward hasn't been on a bum of the month tour lately. That's all I'm saying.
Froch is A-list.
Debatable. He's on the fence with me but I don't consider him A-List. He has no A-List wins, wins over a few quality fighters but none that makes you go.
Pascal, Abraham, Groves 2x, Kessler, Johnson, Bute, Taylor, and Dirrell is quite a bit more than 'a few.' Also, those guys were very quality at the times of the fight.
Didnt say they weren't good Bruh. They were all very good to above average, but no A listers in the group especially Johnson who was at the tail end. Not trying to discredit Ward at all, just speaking of what I see.
I also look at what a fighter has done after he was beaten, especially if they were beaten in their prime (i.e. Floyd's dominant win over Canelo is looking more and more impressive based on his follow up career after the loss). None of those guys did a WHOLE lot after Ward beat them.
Unfortunately, just like Roy Jones, and some others, as dominant as they were, their competition will always be scrutinized. Ward still has time if he keeps winning to vault up the 'list', but right now, I don't see any A List fighters on his ledger. Same with GGG and some others...
Those 10 wins are more than 'a few' wins. That's an extremely solid resume.
Agreed, but some fights are career defining or career ruining, so I look at both sides of the coin.
Froch went on to become a unified champion after Ward.
Roy's got prime ATG's on his resume. He doesn't fit into this argument.
There is no comparing Ward's resume to Golovkin's. Whether you view Froch as A-list and the rest of the fighters as below top shelf, they are still head and shoulders above EVERYONE on Golovkin's resume.
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Respect. Also, Wards resume is stronger than GGG's no doubt. Ultimately, I still see Wards competition as be level and below and GGG's at low B, C Level. I wouldn't even have Ward in my top 5 PFP right now based on his resume and his last few fights. There are a few fighters more deserving of those positions, so I still believe there is a slant in evaluating Wards career. Beating Kovalev will go a long way to changing that in my opinion.
Agree about the p4p thing. Too much inactivity and too many injuries. Ward's only saving grace is his level of skill and past wins.
Golovkin's comp has been C-Level or below imo. If it weren't for David Lemieux, an argument could be made for it being worse.
To be Top 5 P4P, you've got to have either cleaned out your division with top fighters (anyone at 147, 175, etc..) or gone up and beat the main person in multiple weights (what Trinidad was doing before B-Hop got him).
Ward was Top 5 P4P because he beat top competition at 168 then got Chad Dawson. His inactivity brought him down. Right now, the fighter with the best chance to shoot up the rankings is actually Errol Spence and Keith Thurman if they start fighting some folks because of the overall level of competition in their division. I can't see Crawford beating these cats at 147.
Ward was Top 5 P4P because he beat top competition at 168 then got Chad Dawson. His inactivity brought him down. Right now, the fighter with the best chance to shoot up the rankings is actually Errol Spence and Keith Thurman if they start fighting some folks because of the overall level of competition in their division. I can't see Crawford beating these cats at 147.
I feel what your saying and in some ways agree...but now 'm curious as to WHO is this "a lot more fighters he could have fought"Like whom? name them if you will
Moacos Maidana retires:
Marcos Maidana retires at age 33
5:37 AM ET
Dan RafaelESPN Senior Writer
Former welterweight and junior welterweight world titleholder Marcos Maidana had not fought since the second of back-to-back decision losses to Floyd Mayweather in September 2014, but although he was enjoying the good life after those two enormous paydays, he recently hinted at a comeback.
In the months following the second fight with Mayweather, photos of "Chino" circulated on the internet in which he appeared to be pushing cruiserweight rather than welterweight. But when he attended younger brother Fabian Maidana's July 23 fight in San Antonio, he appeared in far better condition, leading to renewed speculation that he would make a ring return.
But on Tuesday, the 33-year-old Maidana, who turned pro in 2004, won two world titles, made millions and fought in the kind of bruising manner that made him a fan favorite, announced his retirement.
The 33-year-old Marcos Maidana, who turned pro in 2014, won two world titles. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
"After a long time out of the ring and after giving it a lot of thought since my last fight I've decided to hang up the gloves for good," Maidana wrote in a letter addressed to "boxing friends" on social media. "Probably my decision would not surprise much as I had given hints of it in the last few months. But at this time I am making it official.
"Before anything else, I must say that I leave very proud and deeply thankful to boxing and everything that I have achieved. I've really never imagined getting this far when I put on a pair of gloves for the very first time when I was 15 in my native Margarita City. I think I was able to put the name of my country Argentina very high after winning two world titles, winning and losing against the best fighters of the world.
"I had a tough career and I fulfilled many of my dreams. I am a very happy man with my family and friends by my side these days. I know many of you think that I still have things to do and battles to fight. And I respect them. That is something that I had in my mind in the last few months. But only those who really know what a real challenge is, like the ones I always had, may understand that you have to be absolutely motivated to approach them.
"Only through a great physical and mental effort you can mix in the ring with best of the world if winning is your goal. And I always wanted to win. Today I do not feel motivated enough, do not have the fire inside me to intend to climb those mountains again. That is why I announce my retirement. At this time when I take a look back at my career I want to thank so many people that helped me to have what I call a successful career."
Maidana gave thanks to the many people who helped him along the way, among them: Ricardo Linari, who discovered him; trainers Ricardo Ferreiro, Robert Garcia, Rudy Perez and Rafael Liendo; longtime adviser Sebastian Contursi; adviser Al Haymon; strength coaches Raul Robles, Cruz Garcia, Alex Ariza and Cicilio Flores; promoters Golden Boy and Universum; and his family.
"To my parents, Olga and Americo, to my wife Mariana, to my son Nahuel and my daughter Emilia, to all of them, thanks for standing by me for such a long ride," he said. "Last but not the least, to my dear fans, who always supported and cheered me either from their homes or from the stands of all the arenas where I fought. I will never forget that chanting: 'Chi-nooooo, Chi-nooooo!'"
Maidana (35-5, 31 KOs) fought the first two years of his career exclusively in Argentina before signing with now-defunct German promoter Universum and fighting on its cards in Germany, including his first world title opportunity, a split-decision loss to Andriy Kotelnik for a junior welterweight belt in February 2009.
But in his next fight, in June 2009, Maidana made his American debut with Golden Boy in rock 'em, sock 'em style. Headlining a card at Staples Center in Los Angeles, he was the underdog against rising star Victor Ortiz. But in a wild, frenzied fight of the year contender, Maidana survived three knockdowns in the first two rounds, dropped Ortiz in the first and sixth rounds and made him quit in the sixth to win a vacant interim junior welterweight belt in an epic fight.
Maidana's fights became must-see TV. He won his next three and then found himself in another barnburner, albeit it a close decision loss to Amir Khan in a world title bout in December 2010 that was voted fight of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America. He then beat future Hall of Famer Erik Morales in another slugfest for a vacant interim title and was later elevated to a full titleholder, defending once against Petr Petrov in an Argentina homecoming bout.
When Maidana moved up to welterweight he suffered a controversial 10-round decision loss to Devon Alexander. But then Maidana won his next four fights, including exciting battles against Jesus Soto Karass and Josesito Lopez and the biggest win of his career, a punishing decision in an upset of Adrien Broner, whom he knocked down twice and embarrassed, to win a welterweight world title in December 2013.
It was the superb showing against Broner that drew the attention of Mayweather, whom he first fought in May 2014 in a welterweight title unification bout. Maidana gave Mayweather one of the toughest fights of his career, but Mayweather won a majority decision, prompting him to give Maidana a rematch four months later.
Maidana had his moments against Mayweather again, but lost a unanimous decision in what turned out to be his final fight, assuming the retirement sticks.
"At this time I start a new stage in which I will remain close to boxing, advising and unconditionally supporting 'Team Maidana,' aiming for new generations to reach the highest levels," Maidana said. "I will be there for our (featherweight titlist) Jesus Cuellar, for new great prospects like Brian Castaño, my brother Fabian Maidana (and) Alan Castaño, who are already making some noise internationally; for Javier Maciel. Also I will be there for the new kids like Neri Romero and Luis Veron. And most likely I will be there for many others who will join us along the road looking for great challenges. My goal is to pass the baton over to them now."
Marcos Maidana retires at age 33
5:37 AM ET
Dan RafaelESPN Senior Writer
Former welterweight and junior welterweight world titleholder Marcos Maidana had not fought since the second of back-to-back decision losses to Floyd Mayweather in September 2014, but although he was enjoying the good life after those two enormous paydays, he recently hinted at a comeback.
In the months following the second fight with Mayweather, photos of "Chino" circulated on the internet in which he appeared to be pushing cruiserweight rather than welterweight. But when he attended younger brother Fabian Maidana's July 23 fight in San Antonio, he appeared in far better condition, leading to renewed speculation that he would make a ring return.
But on Tuesday, the 33-year-old Maidana, who turned pro in 2004, won two world titles, made millions and fought in the kind of bruising manner that made him a fan favorite, announced his retirement.
The 33-year-old Marcos Maidana, who turned pro in 2014, won two world titles. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
"After a long time out of the ring and after giving it a lot of thought since my last fight I've decided to hang up the gloves for good," Maidana wrote in a letter addressed to "boxing friends" on social media. "Probably my decision would not surprise much as I had given hints of it in the last few months. But at this time I am making it official.
"Before anything else, I must say that I leave very proud and deeply thankful to boxing and everything that I have achieved. I've really never imagined getting this far when I put on a pair of gloves for the very first time when I was 15 in my native Margarita City. I think I was able to put the name of my country Argentina very high after winning two world titles, winning and losing against the best fighters of the world.
"I had a tough career and I fulfilled many of my dreams. I am a very happy man with my family and friends by my side these days. I know many of you think that I still have things to do and battles to fight. And I respect them. That is something that I had in my mind in the last few months. But only those who really know what a real challenge is, like the ones I always had, may understand that you have to be absolutely motivated to approach them.
"Only through a great physical and mental effort you can mix in the ring with best of the world if winning is your goal. And I always wanted to win. Today I do not feel motivated enough, do not have the fire inside me to intend to climb those mountains again. That is why I announce my retirement. At this time when I take a look back at my career I want to thank so many people that helped me to have what I call a successful career."
Maidana gave thanks to the many people who helped him along the way, among them: Ricardo Linari, who discovered him; trainers Ricardo Ferreiro, Robert Garcia, Rudy Perez and Rafael Liendo; longtime adviser Sebastian Contursi; adviser Al Haymon; strength coaches Raul Robles, Cruz Garcia, Alex Ariza and Cicilio Flores; promoters Golden Boy and Universum; and his family.
"To my parents, Olga and Americo, to my wife Mariana, to my son Nahuel and my daughter Emilia, to all of them, thanks for standing by me for such a long ride," he said. "Last but not the least, to my dear fans, who always supported and cheered me either from their homes or from the stands of all the arenas where I fought. I will never forget that chanting: 'Chi-nooooo, Chi-nooooo!'"
Maidana (35-5, 31 KOs) fought the first two years of his career exclusively in Argentina before signing with now-defunct German promoter Universum and fighting on its cards in Germany, including his first world title opportunity, a split-decision loss to Andriy Kotelnik for a junior welterweight belt in February 2009.
But in his next fight, in June 2009, Maidana made his American debut with Golden Boy in rock 'em, sock 'em style. Headlining a card at Staples Center in Los Angeles, he was the underdog against rising star Victor Ortiz. But in a wild, frenzied fight of the year contender, Maidana survived three knockdowns in the first two rounds, dropped Ortiz in the first and sixth rounds and made him quit in the sixth to win a vacant interim junior welterweight belt in an epic fight.
Maidana's fights became must-see TV. He won his next three and then found himself in another barnburner, albeit it a close decision loss to Amir Khan in a world title bout in December 2010 that was voted fight of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America. He then beat future Hall of Famer Erik Morales in another slugfest for a vacant interim title and was later elevated to a full titleholder, defending once against Petr Petrov in an Argentina homecoming bout.
When Maidana moved up to welterweight he suffered a controversial 10-round decision loss to Devon Alexander. But then Maidana won his next four fights, including exciting battles against Jesus Soto Karass and Josesito Lopez and the biggest win of his career, a punishing decision in an upset of Adrien Broner, whom he knocked down twice and embarrassed, to win a welterweight world title in December 2013.
It was the superb showing against Broner that drew the attention of Mayweather, whom he first fought in May 2014 in a welterweight title unification bout. Maidana gave Mayweather one of the toughest fights of his career, but Mayweather won a majority decision, prompting him to give Maidana a rematch four months later.
Maidana had his moments against Mayweather again, but lost a unanimous decision in what turned out to be his final fight, assuming the retirement sticks.
"At this time I start a new stage in which I will remain close to boxing, advising and unconditionally supporting 'Team Maidana,' aiming for new generations to reach the highest levels," Maidana said. "I will be there for our (featherweight titlist) Jesus Cuellar, for new great prospects like Brian Castaño, my brother Fabian Maidana (and) Alan Castaño, who are already making some noise internationally; for Javier Maciel. Also I will be there for the new kids like Neri Romero and Luis Veron. And most likely I will be there for many others who will join us along the road looking for great challenges. My goal is to pass the baton over to them now."