Fighter branded ‘The next Floyd Mayweather’ discovered just how tough the top-level of boxing is, when a former ‘Money’ opponent dropped him to the canvas.
Inside the ring, the 50-0 fighter was blessed with remarkable defensive skills and an unrivaled boxing IQ.
And outside of it, he garnered attention from the fans with his braggadocious attitude and flashy lifestyle.
At one point in time, a fighter broke through the ranks, with many believing he could be capable of matching everything the American achieved. Alas, it wasn’t to be.
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Marcos Maidana dominated Adrien Broner
On December 14, 2013, Adrien Broner attempted to defend his WBA welterweight title against Marcos Maidana at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, USA.
The flashy champion had a polarizing personality with the skills to match, with fans branding him ‘The next Floyd Mayweather‘.
However, when he set foot inside the ring with Argentina’s finest, he quickly realized that acting like the then pound-for-pound number one is one thing, but performing like him is an entirely different kettle of fish.
From the opening bell, Maidana applied the pressure, landing vicious shots to the head and body.
In the second round, a ruthless left hook sent the favorite tumbling toward the canvas, marking the first time he’d been dropped in his professional career.
While Mayweather emerged victorious against Shane Mosley after getting rocked, things just went from bad to worse for Broner against Maidana.
In flashes, it appeared like the trash-talker was on the cusp of mounting a comeback, but in the eighth round, he was sent hurtling towards the floor again after another left hand detonated on his head.
For the remainder of the fight, Maidana bullied Broner, eventually winning a wide decision.
Marcos Maidana wears Floyd Mayweather’s tooth as a necklace
After defeating Broner, Maidana put his new title on the line against Mayweather.
The pair had a razor-close contest, in which the now Hall of Famer scraped the victory.
In the rematch, the Michigan boxer won much more comfortably. However, ‘El Chino’ still has the bragging rights.
To this day, Maidana claims he wears Mayweather’s tooth as a necklace.