Depending on whom you asked, the first fight between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana either foreshadowed greater things to come should the hard-charging El Chino get another 12 rounds to work with, or displayed the best-possible performance and outcome that Maidana will ever muster against Mayweather.
Fans are clearly split not only on just how close that first fight really was, but whether or not Maidana has a legitimate chance to hand Mayweather his first loss given this second opportunity. Here are three “what if” scenarios to consider which could steer Maidana to victory come September 13th. What if… Mayweather doesn’t become more focused, but more complacent?
One school of thought has it that Mayweather was less than 100% locked in for the first fight against Maidana. Not only did he become flustered at times — more on that below — but for the first time I can recall he displayed visible signs of tiring.
Mayweather has always been known for his supreme fitness, along with his steadfast commitment during training. However, is his lifestyle, combined with his advancing age and his always expanding personal aura of invincibility catching up with him, or at least beginning to creep and trickle in, at least a teeny-tiny bit?
But wait, if Mayweather wasn’t at his highest levels of concentration and conditioning for the first fight, he should correct that problem for the rematch, right? Not necessarily. In fact, since he emerged from the first fight with a clear, if hard-fought, victory, even at less than his best, than perhaps mentally he actually takes it easier this time.
He could be thinking to himself “I already figured this guy out and he had everything go his way. The second fight will be no sweat.” That line of thinking is unlikely for Mayweather, despite his boundless braggadocio, but if he goes down that path it could spell disaster for him.
