Marcos Maidana vs. Adrien Broner: An intriguing and likely matchup in the future

By WarMaidana - 06/18/2013 - Comments

maidana564By Dallas Orysiuk It has been almost two weeks since boxing fans witnessed a thriller, a candidate for fight of the year (FOTY)… they witnessed Marcos Maidana vs. Josesisto Lopez. Going into the match-up, everyone knew it was going to be exciting and for as long as this war lasted, it lived up to the expectations.

This weekend we have another interesting matchup to look forward to, Adrien Broner vs. Paulie Malignaggi. Do not expect the same exciting fight as Maidana vs. Lopez, but this matchup has implications that can lead to some exciting matchups in the future. Broner moves up two weight divisions to challenge Paulie Malignaggi for his WBA welterweight strap.

Diego Chaves is rated number 1 in the WBA welterweight ratings and faces Keith Thurman on July 27th. The winner is in line for a potential matchup for the winner of June 22nds showdown. But, coming in right behind Chaves in the WBA rankings is his fellow countryman Marcos Maidana. Maidana has the far superior resume and is the far better matchup for the winner of Broner/Malignaggi.

Adrien Broner is 26-0 (22 KOs) and has tremendous potential. Broner is the perfect villain; he assumes this role so well that he makes Mayweather look like a saint. Despite the impressive record, Broner has a lackluster resume to say the least, facing tomato cans, cab drivers and farmers. Broner’s greatest win was a 8th RD TKO of Antonio Demarco. The heavy underdog, Paulie “the Magic Man” Malignaggi (32-4, 7 KOs) has been in with far greater competition than Broner, however he has failed every time he has stepped up in class: losing to Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Diaz (which was avenged) and Amir Khan. The Magic Man has skill, but his lack of power has been a major hinder on his career. He has speed, skill and heart…. But his pillow fisted punches couldn’t knock out an elementary student. For this reason, it is likely the 11-1 favorite, younger, and hard hitting Broner will win.

Malignaggi has some skills, but he is a stepping stone and at 32 Paulie is getting up there in age. This is a step up in competition for Broner, and the matchup will garner some interest, however it is definitely a cherry pick and a way for Broner to gain a welterweight belt. Once Broner dismantles Malignaggi, he has no excuses, there should be a step up in class, how likely that is… I don’t know. Broner is rated # 6 in the Ring Magazine Pound 4 Pound ratings, and unrightfully so. Receiving such a high rating and praise there will be a clamor from the boxing world for Broner to step up his opposition.

Marcos Maidana is a hard hitting warrior who always puts on a show. But, Maidana is vulnerable… he has questionable defense, has been hurt on many occasions, and tends to get wild in his fights. This is what makes him so entertaining. Marcos Maidana tries to kill you with every punch he throws. The lack of defense, the vulnerability to being hurt and his tremendous heart make Maidana a pleasure to watch. This is the reason why Golden Boy will likely pit these two young hungry lions against each other, assuming Broner finishes off Malignaggi. Both fighters are with Golden Boy, both will be fighting at welterweight, both will be looking to fight around a similar date, and it is a fight the fans will want to see. However, the main reason I see Golden Boy making this matchup is Marcos Maidanas vulnerability: his lack of defense and tendency to get hurt. Like they have done in the past, they will use Maidana as a stepping stone. It will be a fun fight to watch all the while ascending Broner up in the welterweight ratings. However you cannot count out the hard hitting Argentinean warrior.

Broner is supposed to be the next Mayweather, the villain in boxing, the air to Mayweathers throne. Broner practices the shoulder roll defense, has fast hands and great reflexes. But unlike Mayweather, Broner doesn’t have the head movement, footwork, and he has been shown to be a lot easier to hit than his idol. Broner is more offensive minded than Mayweather, he possesses greater power and looks for the knockout, which is illustrated by his 22 knockouts.

Maidana is no stranger to knocking out opponents either, scoring 31 Knockouts in his 33 victories. Maidana is a heavy hitter, he is a warrior, and comes to fight every time. There are only three blemishes on his record, and the only fight that he really looked bad in was his defeat to Devon Alexander. Since then Maidana has won his last 3 fights, all by TKO and KO.

Now although the winner of Thurman/Chaves will be the mandatory, it is likely Thurman will win. Thurman is a lesser name than Maidana and is much bigger… therefore it is unlikely he will be placed in the same ring as Broner, therefore expect Thurman to be matched with the winner of Berto/Soto-Karass and Maidana vs. Broner. Maidana vs. Broner will be exciting and I hope I am right on this prediction.
With Both fighters being offensively minded, possessing tremendous knockout power, the killer instinct of sharks, and skillful in their own way, this is a matchup that will have boxing fans mouths watering. Marcos Maidana vs. Adrien Broner is a fight that would be hard to call. Will Broners chin hold up to Maidanas power? If Broner carries his power with him up to welterweight will it be enough to hurt and stop the vulnerable Maidana? Maidana vs. Broner is a likely fight for the end of 2013… it has FOTY written all over it and is a matchup all boxing fans should pray for.



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