Marcos Maidana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marcos Maidana
Statistics
Real name	Marcos René Maidana
Nickname(s)	El Chino ("The Chinaman")
Rated at	Light welterweight Welterweight Light middleweight
Height	5 ft 7 in
Reach	69 in
Born	(1983-07-17) 17 July 1983 (age 41) Margarita, Santa Fe, Argentina
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	40
Wins	35
Wins by KO	31
Losses	5

Marcos René Maidana (born on July 17, 1983) is a retired professional boxer from Argentina. He competed in boxing from 2004 to 2014. Marcos was known for his powerful punches. He was never knocked out in any of his five losses.

Maidana held important boxing titles. He was the WBA (Regular) super lightweight champion from 2011 to 2012. He also held the WBA (Regular) welterweight title from 2013 to 2014.

Marcos Maidana's Boxing Career

Starting as a Light Welterweight

Marcos Maidana began his boxing career in 2004, just before he turned 21. For his first two years, he fought 18 times in his home country, Argentina. He won all of these fights, with 17 of them ending in a knockout. In his 18th fight, he won the WBA Fedelatin super lightweight title.

Over the next year, Maidana fought mostly in Germany and Panama. By the end of 2008, he had an amazing record. He had won 25 fights and had not lost any. He had also knocked out 24 of his opponents.

Maidana vs. Kotelnik

On February 2, 2009, Maidana fought for his first world title. He challenged Andreas Kotelnik for the WBA super lightweight championship in Germany. Kotelnik won the fight by a close decision from the judges. Many people thought the decision was unfair.

Maidana vs. Ortiz

Maidana's first fight in the United States was against Victor Ortíz on June 27, 2009. This fight was for the WBA interim super lightweight title. Both boxers were knocked down early in the fight. Ortiz was cut in the fifth round. In the sixth round, the fight was stopped. The doctor would not let Ortiz continue. Many boxing experts criticized Ortiz for not wanting to finish the fight.

Maidana vs. Khan

After some other fights, Maidana wanted to challenge Amir Khan. Khan was the WBA super lightweight champion. Maidana publicly challenged Khan, saying he would come to Khan's home to win the title. The fight was set for December 11, 2010, in Las Vegas. Khan was paid much more than Maidana for this fight.

Khan successfully defended his title. He knocked Maidana down in the first round. Maidana fought hard and surprised Khan with a strong punch in the tenth round. Khan managed to recover and won the fight by a unanimous decision from the judges. This exciting fight was named "Fight of the Year" by boxing writers.

Maidana vs. Morales

On April 9, 2011, Maidana fought against Érik Morales, a famous boxer who had won world titles in three different weight classes. The fight took place in Las Vegas. Maidana started the fight very aggressively. He landed many powerful punches. Morales's eye swelled up early in the fight.

However, Morales fought back bravely, even with one eye. The fight became very exciting, with both boxers landing strong punches. Maidana finished the fight stronger. He won by a majority decision from the judges. Many fans at the event disagreed with the decision.

Maidana vs. Petrov

Maidana defended his WBA (Regular) title on September 23, 2011, in Argentina. His opponent was Petr Petrov. Maidana became the first boxer to stop Petrov in a fight. He won by knockout in the fourth round.

Moving to Welterweight

Maidana vs. Alexander

In December 2011, Maidana decided to move up to the welterweight division. He fought Devon Alexander on February 25, 2012. Alexander won the fight easily by a unanimous decision. Maidana felt slower at the new weight.

Maidana vs. Soto Karass

Maidana fought Jesus Soto Karass on September 15, 2012, in Las Vegas. Maidana won the fight by a technical knockout in the eighth round. It was a very exciting fight with both boxers trading many punches.

Maidana vs. Broner

In October 2013, it was announced that Maidana would fight Adrien Broner. Broner was the WBA welterweight champion. The fight took place on December 14 in San Antonio. Broner was expected to win easily.

From the very start, Maidana attacked Broner with many punches. In the second round, Maidana knocked Broner down. This was the first time Broner had ever been knocked down in his career. Maidana continued to hit Broner hard throughout the fight. Maidana won the fight by a unanimous decision. This was Broner's first loss as a professional boxer.

Broner left the ring quickly after the fight. Fans booed him. Later, Broner apologized for leaving. He said he wanted a rematch with Maidana. Maidana said he was open to fighting Broner again.

Maidana vs. Mayweather Jr.

In February 2014, it was announced that Marcos Maidana would fight Floyd Mayweather Jr.. Mayweather was one of the best boxers in the world and had never lost a fight. This fight was for Mayweather's WBC and The Ring welterweight titles, as well as Maidana's WBA welterweight title. Maidana was considered a big underdog, meaning most people thought he would lose.

The fight took place on May 3, 2014, in Las Vegas. It was a very tough fight for Mayweather. Maidana was very aggressive and kept attacking Mayweather. Mayweather was hit more times in this fight than in any of his previous 38 fights. Mayweather won the fight by a majority decision from the judges.

Maidana felt he had won the fight. He believed he gave Mayweather his toughest fight ever. The fight was very popular and was bought by many viewers on pay-per-view.

Maidana vs. Mayweather Jr. II

Because the first fight was so exciting, a rematch was set for September 13, 2014. This time, Mayweather was better prepared for Maidana's aggressive style. Mayweather won the rematch by a unanimous decision.

During the fight, a strange moment happened in the eighth round. While they were tangled up, Maidana seemed to bite Mayweather's hand. Mayweather said Maidana bit him, but Maidana denied it. Maidana was unhappy with the judges' decision. He felt he was the aggressor and should have won.

Retirement

On August 9, 2016, Marcos Maidana officially announced he was retiring from boxing. He was 33 years old. He said he had thought about it for a long time. Maidana ended his career with 35 wins in 40 fights. He had 31 knockouts and only 5 losses.

Professional Boxing Record Summary

Pay-per-view Fights

Marcos Maidana was part of some big pay-per-view boxing events. These are fights that people pay extra to watch on TV.

Images for kids

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  Marcos Maidana before a fight in 2011.

See also

In Spanish: Marcos Maidana para niños