FLOYD MAYWEATHER walked into the media centre at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas wearing sunglasses and a fat lip. Marcos Maidana was responsible for the change of face. All observers felt that Mayweather deserved the unanimous decision he claimed over the crazy slugger in Las Vegas but Maidana was not so sure.
“I did a terrific job,” said Maidana. “So many fighters couldn’t do what I did. I hurt him but they [previous Mayweather opponents] couldn’t do what I do. They couldn’t land a punch. I did enough to win, but what can I say? The judges like a runner.”
Mayweather called Maidana an “exceptionally dirty fighter” after an incident in the eighth round of their return left him spinning away in pain. Replays were inconclusive, but the challenger’s mouth appeared to tighten around Floyd’s left glove. Mayweather exhibited wounded fingers to reporters while Maidana nonchalantly denied all charges.
“I didn’t bite him,” Marcos exclaimed. “That didn’t happen. I felt him poke my eye with his glove, but no, I didn’t bite him.”
Mayweather’s account, which drew chuckles, was different.
“He bit three of my fingers,” said Mayweather. “My left hand was numb from the eighth round. My middle finger burst open through the glove. He said I put my hand in his mouth. Why would I? I didn’t. He bit me.”
The tattooed Maidana pushed Floyd hard in their first bout, at the same venue in May, but felt his performance in the sequel was better.
“In the first fight my rhythm stopped and I slowed down,” he admitted. “In the second fight I fought hard for 12 rounds. I am very satisfied with my performances against him and I landed a lot of punches that other fighters weren’t able to.”
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