LAS VEGAS - Floyd Mayweather has what he considers the ideal strategy for his fight against Marcos Maidana."The game plan is to stay in the pocket. Make the guy miss and make the guy pay," Mayweather said.
The American superstar defends his undefeated status and his WBC welterweight title against the power-punching Maidana in Las Vegas tonight.
The 37-year-old Mayweather is a 12-1 favourite for the title unification bout at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Maidana holds the WBA belt.
Mayweather has won championship belts in five divisions and remained undefeated in 45 professional fights. He is a defensive-minded fighter who beats his opponents with Olympic-style tactics – racking up points with the judges.
His counterpunching strategy may not make for exciting knockouts, but it has served him well during his 18-year career.
"Is Marcos Maidana one of the best in the sport? Absolutely," Mayweather said. "But I am the best there is. We are still wondering who's going to solve the 'MayVinci' Code? But come Saturday I will find a way to win."
The fight is the third of the 30-month, six-fight deal worth $200 million-plus that “Money” Mayweather signed with pay-per-view outlet Showtime. He is the highest paid athlete in North American sport, earning an estimated $85 million per year.
In his last fight, Mayweather became the super-welterweight champion by dominating Mexico's Saul Alvarez on 14 September 2013. It was the highest grossing pay-per-view bout of all-time, with revenues of more than $150 million.
For tonight's contest, Mayweather is guaranteed a purse of $32 million. Maidana will receive $1.5 million.
The 30-year-old Maidana, who has a record of 35-3, with 31 knockouts, will make the first defence of his belt.
Some purists have a hard time getting excited for Saturday's fight. Maidana earned this shot by beating Adrien Broner for the WBA title in December. But the heavy underdog has also lost to one of the fighters on the undercard, Amir Khan, who stopped Maidana in December of 2010.
"Maidana is a predictable fighter," said Floyd Mayweather Sr, who trains his son. "When I see Maidana, I see someone that Floyd can easily pick apart. Maidana may be able to punch strong, but how are you going to hit something you can't catch." – Reuters