If you're looking for a slugfest, the Marcos Rene Maidana-Josesito Lopez bout on Saturday night in Carson, Calif. is a must-see. Neither Maidana nor Lopez have ever been the type to shy away from a fight.
Both men are attempting to get into the crowded title picture at 147 pounds, a.k.a the Floyd Mayweather Jr. sweepstakes. Maidana and Lopez are interesting, hungry fighters who have a chance to put on an exciting fight.
Here's how you can catch the action and analysis into this matchup.
When: Saturday, June 8 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
TV: Showtime
Live Stream Replay: Showtime Anytime on Sunday (Pay Service)
The Book on Maidana
Looking For A War
Maidana has always been a rough-and-tumble warrior. That is why his fights are usually so entertaining. He owns stoppage wins over Victor Ortiz, Victor Cayo and Jesus Soto Karass in his career.
He also fought Amir Khan in a spectacular battle that saw both men rocked several times during the fight. Khan won the bout, but Maidana certainly had his moments. Take a look at the highlights:
Maidana will bring the same style into his matchup with Lopez. He told Boxing Scene: "My plan is to go toe-to-toe. I don't know what Josesito is going to do, but that's what I plan to do. Pressure is the key to the fight."
Maidana knows Lopez likes to fight the same way, so he's likely to get the war he's looking for.
In the Ring
If you stand right in front of Maidana, you're playing into his hands. He's rugged—though he's shown some vulnerability to body shots—and he has very good punching power.
Devon Alexander gave Maidana fits by employing movement and changing angles with his punches. In Maidana's three losses, the only non mover that beat him was Andriy Kotelnik.
Kotelnik won a controversial split decision over Maidana in 2009. If Lopez fights Maidana's fight, he'll be in danger, but it could make for a classic brawl.
The Book on Lopez
Back Closer to Where He Belongs
It is hard to blame Lopez for taking the fight with Canelo Alvarez at 154 pounds. It was a major payday and opportunity, but he soon found out he couldn't compete at junior middleweight.
Alvarez stopped Lopez in the fifth round of a one-sided bout.
Prior to that, Lopez scored the biggest win of his career against Ortiz. He broke Ortiz's jaw and forced him to quit.
This is ironic because Ortiz was also forced to quit when Maidana opened a nasty cut over his eye in their bout.
The win took place at 147 pounds just as this clash with Maidana will. Lopez had primarily been a junior welterweight before the Ortiz fight, but he proved he has proven he can handle welterweight's punches.
His best opportunity to compete and make good to great paydays is at welterweight.
In the Ring
Lopez has good height for a welterweight at 5'9". Though he is an inch taller than Maidana, his reach is one inch shorter.
His chin is solid as he proved in his battle with Ortiz and with Alvarez to a degree. He took some solid shots from Canelo before the fight was stopped to prevent any further damage.
The best punch of the fight for Lopez against Maidana will be the jab—if he uses it. Maidana likes to load up with sweeping hooks and uppercuts; a jab will disturb his timing. However, if Lopez gets pulled too far into a brawl and forgets the strategy, he could be in trouble.
Prediction
I have a feeling I'm really going to enjoy this fight. I don't see either man as a real threat to the likes of Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Devon Alexander or even Khan, but they will be entertaining against one another.
Lopez should win this fight with straighter, more accurate punches. Both men will have their moments, but Lopez will earn a unanimous decision victory.
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