There are some who say the second time around is always sweeter.
Floyd Mayweather would certainly agree with that sentiment.
Marcos Maidana would not.
Mayweather ran his perfect record to 47-0 by getting the better of Maidana for the second time in four months—this time by a unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The scores were 115-112, 116-111 and 116-111.
Maxboxing and Doghouseboxing had Mayweather winning 117-110.
With the victory, Mayweather retained his WBC and WBA welterweight and super welterweight titles.
Maidana (35-5, 31 KOs) had success in the first bout by pressing the action. He started the sequel slower, but still aggressively. The slick Mayweather was much more interested in boxing. He stuck out his jab and moved away. Maidana bobbed and weaved. An overhand right landed.
Mayweather connected with a couple of sharp left hooks to the head.
In rounds two and three, Mayweather moved side to side. Maidana followed, but wasn’t punching very much. He appeared to be pacing himself. The strategy was sound, based on the fact that he ran out of gas down the stretch during the first fight. But he was giving away rounds.
Maidana’s long jab landed. Mayweather countered with two lead right hands and a check hook. The 37-year-old defending champion was quicker and more effective. His lead right would find Maidana throughout the fight. Maidana landed his own right at the end of round three that stunned Mayweather.
In round four, Maidana finally hit Mayweather with good punches to the head and body. Mayweather languished on the ropes and paid for it. Maidana jumped on him and fired shots.
Most missed, but a few landed.
In rounds five and six, Mayweather became more aggressive. A left-right connected. A hard hook crashed against the chin.of Maidana. His sniper like right hand was rarely missing.
Mayweather’s plan was clear. Whenever he felt his back on the ropes--he moved away. Or, he would initiate a clinch.
Maidana tried to jab to the midsection in round seven. He had to figure out a way to slow down Mayweather. The undefeated champion pumped out his jab. A stiff right hand also landed.
In round eight, both fighters connected with hard shots. Maidana landed a right--while Mayweather connected with multiple shots. The action was suspended near the end of the round with Mayweather claiming that Maidana bit his glove.
Mayweather clocked Maidana with two check hooks in round nine. As Madiana set himself to fire back, Mayweather slipped away and stabbed Maidana with lefts and rights.
So much for the notion that Mayweather's legs are shot.
Maidana landed a strong right hand, but Mayweather absorbed it and jumped inside with a left hook.
Mayweather was pushed to the canvas in round 10. Referee Kenny Bayless strangely deducted a point from Maidana.
In round 11, Mayweather hurt Maidana with a hard blow to the solar plexus. A few seconds later another punch landed, but this one was south of the border. Maidana continued to walk after Mayweather, but his body language suggested frustration.
Maidana needed a knockout to win the bout. Mayweather wasn’t about to trade with him.
He moved side to side. Maidana chased him, but the outcome had already been decided.
“I didn’t stay on the ropes this time,” said Mayweather in the ring. “He’s a tough competitor. My thing was to listen to my Dad.”
“I prepared myself real well,” Maidana said. “I thought I won the fight. He was running.”
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