The Lowdown On… Mayweather vs. Maidana

While most insiders have scoffed at the notion of “El Chino” taking on the best fighter on the planet pound-for-pound, Maidana’s always-coming-forward approach should entice the viewing public into tuning in. Virtually everybody wants to see Mayweather fighting for his fistic life while engaging in hand-to-hand combat, and Maidana’s style could potentially force that sort of action.

While it’s doubtful that Maidana will have similar success against Mayweather like he had against Adrien Broner last year, his extreme aggression and raw punching power – if used properly – could be a recipe for triumph. Or will it? SecondsOut has broken down the fight perfectly and already knows who will win before the opening bell even sounds. Read on to get the skinny on Mayweather versus Maidana:

Power: Though his record doesn’t exactly indicate as such, Floyd can crack and crack hard. He’s got genuine one-punch knockout power when he chooses to use it, but he relies almost solely on speed and contact. If he chose, Mayweather could easily have many more knockouts on his pro ledger but he typically tends to play it just safe enough not to over-expose himself.

With that said, Maidana has crushing power in both hands and his record proves it. He can flatten virtually anybody with his fists, especially his right hand. He throws bombs from odd angles and when he throws, every single one of his punches is with everything behind it. Maidana’ power is legit and it is the one aspect of this duel that will serve him well. Advantage: Maidana

Speed: Most of the littler guys in the sport have great handspeed and Maidana is no different. The problem with this matchup is that he has to match speed with Mayweather, who has some of the fastest hands in the history of the sport. Mayweather throws his punches with such blinding speed and accuracy that most of his foes can’t even react until they’re getting tagged again. What makes him so frightening, however, is how precise he is, which makes his speed advantage that much greater. This one’s not even close. Advantage: Mayweather

Defense: Similar to the previous category, this one is a wipeout. Maidana doesn’t exactly employ any sort of true defensive strategy because he relies on his sturdy chin and hellish punch output. As for Mayweather, he is without question the single greatest defensive fighter of this generation and clearly the best since Pernell Whitaker, maybe even ever. Floyd can stand directly in front of you and make you miss everything. He rarely gets tagged cleanly in any fight and if someone does actually hit him directly, the chances of repeating the feat are slim to none. This one’s not even close, either. Advantage Mayweather.

Chin: Maidana has been taken off his feet a few times in his career: Amir Khan got him, Victor Ortiz felled him thrice and early in his career he was dropped by Omar Leon. But even with the few times he’s been floored, Maidana hasn’t truly been stumbling all over Queer Street. He’s been rocked but he has yet to ever show the sort of weakness to where he was on the verge of being stopped. Mayweather was badly wobbled by Shane Mosley when they fought and guys like DeMarcus Corley and Zab Judah both shook Mayweather.

With that said, the only time “Money” has been officially knocked down was right after he shattered his left wrist on the head of Carlos Hernandez and took a knee. Though Maidana has been knocked down quadruple the times as Mayweather, it just seems like he’s got a sturdier chin when speaking to most “experts.” This category is a toss-up as far as I’m concerned, though. Advantage: Neither.