By Allan Fox: Ricky Hatton believes that Floyd Mayweather Jr. may have overlooked Marcos Maidana and that was one of the reasons why Mayweather failed to perform at his usual high level. Hatton thinks that Mayweather might be having a hard time getting motivated for his opponents because he’s been at the top for so long, and because he’s beaten so many good fighters in the past.
It’s possible that Mayweather overlooked Maidana, because if he was generally concerned about whether he could beat him or not, he wouldn’t have fought in a stationary manner the way he did. Mayweather fought with his back against the ropes in many rounds, and that’s not the way he fought against Canelo, Robert Guerrero and Miguel Cotto.
“I think he [Maidana] did himself proud,” Hatton said. “I don’t think anybody expected that performance from Maidana. I don’t think Floyd did either. It was a forgone conclusion in the minds of everyone [that Mayweather would beat Maidana]. I give credit to Maidana. He fought like a man who was hungry. It must be hard motivational wise [for Mayweather] because he’s got so much money, and for what he’s done in his career. I think he’ll fight Maidana [next]. It’s a shame it’s not Amir, because I think he was all geared up fighting on the undercard. He [Khan] looked better than he’s ever looked. He could be fighting the No.1 pound for pound fighter in the world.”
Mayweather wanted to make it interesting for his fans by punching with Maidana, but that approach nearly cost him the fight because of all the shots he took in the fight. In hindsight, Mayweather should have boxed Maidana, as a lot of boxing fans now that Mayweather is starting to show signs of being on the decline. I’m sure Mayweather didn’t want to give fans that impression for his fight against Maidana. He just wanted to make it exciting for them by choosing to stand in front of him.
Hatton could be right about Mayweather potentially facing Maidana in a rematch in September. It could be an easy fight for Mayweather if he chooses to box Maidana instead of slugging it out with him.
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