Argentine KO artist @ChinoMaidana working out with @ArizaFitness with only one date in sight: #TheMoment May 3 pic.twitter.com/DLvKz5Z63v

— GoldenBoyPromotions (@GoldenBoyBoxing) March 22, 2014

By Dan Ambrose: With six weeks to go before his big pay-per-view fight on Showtime, WBA welterweight champion Marcos Maidana (35-3, 31 KO’s) is already looking in fighting shape for his big money fight against WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (45-0, 26 KO’s) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Maidana didn’t let himself get out of shape after his big win over Adrien Broner last December, so he’s already got a leg up for this important clash.

Maidana is training with Manny Pacquiao’s ex-strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza to get ready for the fight. It’s obviously going well. Having Ariza on his team as his S &C has really helped Maidana, because his conditioning was one of his weak points a few years ago when he would gas out late in his fights. But since adding Ariza to his team, Maidana has looked a lot better and doesn’t slow down late in his fights like he used to. It’s Pacquiao’s loss that Ariza was dumped, because he was one of the main positives on that team. Pacquiao should have dumped Freddie Roach and kept Ariza, because his strength and conditioning is what made Pacquiao a good fighter during his prime.

Ariza obviously isn’t involved with Maidana’s fight boxing training for the Mayweather fight. That part is capably handled by trainer Robert Garcia. He’s the one that has come up with the fight strategy that they feel will lead to a victory over Mayweather. It’s all about pressure, cutting off the ring and work rate in trying to beat Mayweather.

It’s not going to be easy because this is by far the best fighter that Maidana has ever fought before. He’s been in with some good ones like Amir Khan, Erik Morales, Adrien Broner and Devon Alexander. Of those guys, Khan is the most like Mayweather due to his hand speed. Alexander showed good speed, but he spent most of their fight clinching over 10 times per round to keep from getting hit by Maidana. Morales wasn’t in his prime when Maidana fought him, but he still had enough left to make things interesting.

If Maidana can get in good enough shape with Ariza’s help, he could negate the talent and speed advantage that Mayweather has in this fight. In that case the fight will be decided on Maidana’s power and his ability to stay on top of Mayweather to force him to fight it out.