Las Vegas – Undefeated world welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather will fight Marcos Maidana September 13 in Las Vegas in a rematch of a narrow May triumph, the US fighter announced Thursday.
Mayweather, 46-0 with 26 knockouts, will defend the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association titles against Maidana, 35-4 with 31 knockouts, as he did on May 3 by majority decision.
Two judges scored Mayweather the winner by 116-112 and 117-111, while the other saw the fight a 114-114 draw.
“Marcos Maidana is a tough customer and he gave me a fight that had me work for the victory,” Mayweather said in a statement. “His style is difficult at best, but with experience comes a way and will to win.”
The fight will be the fourth in a record six-bout deal with Showtime that has made Mayweather the highest-paid athlete in the world as he threatens the iconic 49-0 career mark of former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano.
Mayweather confirmed Las Vegas would be the venue despite his having earlier gotten a license to fight in the state of New York, sparking talk the bout might be staged in New York.
Mayweather will fight on a Mexican holiday weekend as he usually does, a move that precluded England's Amir Khan from consideration due to the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.
Mayweather had kept Khan hanging for months regarding the May bout, only to give Maidana the prized chance and provide Khan only an undercard spot.
“I'm not one to give second chances in the ring, but I want to give the fans what they want to see,” Mayweather said.
“I will be as prepared as I always am when I step in the ring on September 13. I only see the outcome one way and that's another successful night for me and my team.”
Maidana, 30, lost his WBA crown to Mayweather, 37, after taking it from Adrien Broner last December in an impressive showing that pushed him to the top of Mayweather's hit list.
“The rematch with Mayweather is the only fight that really motivates me,” said Maidana. “I feel I earned it in the ring and Floyd owed it to me.
“I've already proved that I don't care if the man I have in front of me is the best pound-for-pound champion. I was close to ending his reign last time. On September 13 he will not get away undefeated.” – Sapa-AFP