When Marcos Maidana got in the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 3 many called it Mayweather's most competitive fight in years. That perception led to a rematch being made for September, although to Mayweather the fight really wasn't all that close.
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When asked at a media press conference in New York City's Marriott Marquis in Times Square about what Maidana was able to do against him that was effective against him, Mayweather responded "Fight dirty.
"Fight dirty, and probably win three rounds out of 12."
Later on in the lengthy talk with media, Mayweather said he didn't have to do anything differently this time around against Maidana. "He has to do something different. He has to. I don't. If you take the dirty fighting away he probably only won one round."
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But, perception is everything, especially in boxing, and Maidana said at the Marriott that public pressure is what finally pushed Mayweather into the rematch.
"I feel that the public had a lot to do with it. They pressured him into this fight. He has to prove that he can beat me and I have to prove that I can win," Maidana said. "The response has been great from the fans. It was a very, very close fight and I think that they supported me and they want to see the second fight."
Mayweather's fights against Maidana and Canelo Alvarez also may have fueled some of the public fervor Maidana spoke about. Each of Mayweather's last two victories were majority decision wins, with one judge in each fight scoring it a draw. That could have solidified the perception of closeness that served as fodder for those calling to see Mayweather-Maidana 2.
"I think we need some young judges," Mayweather said. "Honestly speaking its just about being fair. As a fighter Maidana knows he didn't win. I've been in the sport forever, and when you go to the boxing gym you know when its like 'Today I really didn't perform like I normally perform.'"
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