MARCOS MAIDANA SOLVES "THE PROBLEM" WINS WBA WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE

by Kendrick Johnson

For the third time this year, the Lone Star state was treated to fireworks thanks to Marcos “Chino” Maidana and Adrien “The Problem” Broner. Maidana won the WBA welterweight championship, knocking Broner down twice for first two times of his career in a unanimous decision Saturday night at the Alamodome.

Marcos Maidana defeats Adrien Broner. Photo credit Golden
Boy Promotions/ Showtime 

After the judges' scores of 115-110, 116-109 and 117-109 were announced in favor of the Argentine star, Broner ran out of the ring like a classless clown. The scores were a little wide for some ringside observers liking, but the underdog Maidana clearly won the fight, giving Broner his first loss.

"I had to show a lot of heart to win this fight," Maidana said. "I did what I had to do to win."

Maidana dominates Broner. Photo
credit Golden Boy Promotions/ Showtime

Maidana came out the gates fast and furious, bull charging and pressuring Broner like no one else before him. In Round 2, the pressure and power punches paid dividends as Maidana pent Broner against the ropes then chin checked him with a beautiful left-hand hook which sent Broner to the canvas for the first time of his career.

After a standing eight count, Broner charged and wrapped up Maidana's upper legs in an attempt to recover.The power stunned the confident Broner, who was unable to use the fluid counter punching that had resulted in 22 knockouts and made him one of the sport's top stars.

"I'll tell you one thing, make a rematch," Broner said. "I don't need a warm-up fight. I want a rematch."

Those who know boxing, knew Maidana’s game plan was to pressure Broner while throwing nothing but power punches.  That is exactly what he did.

Maidana landed 231 of 663 power punches while connecting on only 38 jabs.

Broner look very overwhelmed by the basic game plan despite being warned by one of his fellow championship friends.

“That’s his fight I knew he was going to come and bring the fight,” said undisputed light weight champion Danny “Swift” Garcia. “When I saw Broner earlier tonight I told him, he’s going to do one thing and one thing only and that’s try hard and not quit.”

In the ninth round, Maidana again stunned Broner, unleashing combination after combination that Broner was struggling to avoid. Broner regained his feet in the 10th round but was only able to exchange blows with Maidana the remainder of the fight.

 A loss on this big stage would humble most people. If his locker room interview with Showtime’s Steve Farhood is any indication, don’t count Broner amongst them.

“We still going to live like we won the fight,” said Broner who only landed 12 body shots. “I’m still going to party, and if you want me in your club just call my people, and the first after party will be in Cincinnati, Ohioon Tuesday.”

Maidana victorious in San Antonio.
Photo credit Golden Boy Promotions/
Showtime

While Broner is bee-bopping in the clubs pondering his next move and opponent, the options are endless for the new WBA Champion Maidana. Maidana’s next opponent could be fast rising up and coming Keith Thurman, former WBA Champion Paulie Malignaggi and his name has even been thrown in the Floyd “Money” Mayweather sweepstakes to fight next May.

“Danger Zone” as it was called by Gold Boy Promotions, closes out a great and exciting year of boxing. Let us only hope 2014 can be just as good, where we have the best fighting the best.

Kendrick Johnson and Stephen Espinoza,
Exec VP/GM of Showtime Sports

Kendrick Johnson writes for a daily newspaper and is an independent sports television, and print journalist who has covered championship boxing and UFC Fights, the NBA Finals and done numerous one on one’s with some of the biggest names and personalities in sports. He can be reached atkendrick_e_johnson@yahoo.com or on Twitter @kendrickjohnso