Posted: Feb 25, 2014 | Updated: 2 years ago
By Sean Hamston: Floyd Mayweather has finally announced his next opponent, after weeks of speculation of who the pound-for-pound king would face. Mayweather ran a poll on his Mayweather Promotions website, with winner being in line to face the WBC Welterweight World Champion.
Amir Khan won that poll, however Mayweather has decided to face WBA Welterweight World Champion Marcos Maidana on Saturday, May 3.
Khan had been the favourite to face Mayweather after Floyd’s last victory over Saul Alvarez, but Maidana emerged as a candidate after a stunning win against highly rated American Adrien Broner late last year.
At the weekend Khan had claimed that he would be overlooked and Mayweather confirmed the news on his twitter account.
Promoters Golden Boy and Mayweather Promotions have now confirmed that Floyd 37, will face WBA champion Maidana instead.
“After weeks of speculation, including feedback from fans across an array of social media platforms, boxing’s pound-for-pound superstar, pay-per-view king and WBC Welterweight World Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather will face the dangerous, power-punching WBA Welterweight World Champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana on Saturday, May 3,” read the statement.
Mayweather (45-0) feels that Maidana last performance put him to the front of the pecking order, beating Floyd’s friend Adrien Broner on points.
“Marcos Maidana’s last performance immediately brought him to my attention,” said Mayweather.
“He is an extremely skilled fighter who brings knockout danger to the ring. I think this is a great fight for me and he deserves the opportunity to see if he can do what 45 others have tried to do before him – beat me.”
Maidana (35-3) took away Broner’s unbeaten record and he is confident he can do the same with Mayweather.
“I am extremely happy to be facing Floyd Mayweather because it will give me the opportunity to show the world that I am the best welterweight in the division,” he said.
“I just handed a great defensive fighter his first loss and I plan to do the same to Mayweather. I don’t care whether he’s the best and undefeated.”
Khan’s feels that he has been disrespected by The Money Team; the British fighter cancelled an IBF title fight on December 7 against Devon Alexander in hopes of securing the fight with Mayweather.
“No response from Mayweather or his team. Fights not happening. I should of taken the title fight last December against Alexander,” Khan said.
“Very disrespected by his team. Wasted my time. Good luck to Maidana, against Mayweather.”
While Khan remains disappointed not to have secured the fight with Mayweather, based on credentials and what Maidana and Khan has achieved in their previous fights, I think Mayweather has selected the right opponent.
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