Was Maidana weight drained? or did he respect Morales too much?

[bigsmoothh]

i think morales was wearing him down and maidana was getting desperate cause he couldnt put him away. morales did a great job on the ropes and did a great job in close.

[Pullcounter]

Last nights performance, was clearly one of Maidanas worst in a long time. All time great, Morales, showed heart and surprised many people with how he was able to hang with Maidana. Very few believed Morales could last beyond 8 rounds.

But, there is no doubt, Maidanas poor performance was the main reason for this outcome. He looked tired, slow, and far less willing to throw power shots. His work rate was astoundingly low compared to his fights against Khan and Victor Ortiz. Against Khan and Ortiz, he stalked his opponents relentlessly. Although, he was unable to land anything significant on Khan for the first 9 rounds. But last night, Maidana looked very poor indeed, and strangely he worked the jab far more than his power shots.

My first thought was, this may be a reaction to people asking Maidana, if he fears for Morales' health. And asking him if its a fair fight. Possibly Maidana wanted to make it a somewhat close show, rather than a blow out Morales, and be criticized for it. But I think something else was at play, since Maidana looked somehow bigger than usual, its possible be was weight drained.

If this is the case, he may have to move to welter-weight, which would be very interesting to see. In anycase, I do not think Maidana will endure as a champion. What I saw last night was a dramtically bad performance. The man has no boxing ability, he's just bully. And bullies always get exposed, just like Kirkland.

maidana underestimated morales... plus he is a limited brawler

[Steak]

neither of the above, its just that Maidana's style played almost perfectly into Morales' hands. which is why I wasnt too surprised at Morales doing so well.

he just didnt have enough left to get the job done.

[GoogleMe]

Maidana looked out of shape to me...

[GoogleMe]

He were breathing very hardly already early in the fight. Maybe he thought this would be over very early?

[S.G.]

He were breathing very hardly already early in the fight. Maybe he thought this would be over very early?

he threw more punches last night than he did in the khan fight. i don't think he looked out of shape at all.

[studentofthegam]

For everybody making excuses for Maidan I have a question. When has he ever fought any different? He looked exactly the same as alway. He's always tired midway thru the fight. He always throws illegal punches. What happened last night was a clear line drawn between Grade A fighters and Grade B fighters. Morales turned him beautifully, jabbed effectively, used great head movement and stood his ground against a slow fighter. The only thing that kept Erik from knocking him out was age catchin up. And with all that they robbed him anyway. Boxing should be very ashamed. Because to me the decision(116-112 mind you) was made before the fight started. All Maidana had to do was remain standing. I was pissed to no end with that sham.

[SpitBalla]

Some people feel Maidana fought the way he always has. In terms of talent and boxing ability this may be true. But the number of power shots he threw last night was far less than his previous few fights. And his work rate during the first half of the fight also seemed far less than usual. But I don't want to take away what Morales was able to do, he deserves credit for legend he is.

Just youtube, the Ortiz or Khan fight. The Ortiz fight in particular shows the Maidana intensity very well. In the Morales fight, in bursts we see Maidana approach those levels, but in the aforementioned Ortiz fight, he maintained the insane intensity throughout. If you compare the fights, Maidana truly looks like a shadow of his former self.

I could be wrong. But I have a feeling its down to weight. This happens to fighters in their late twenties and beyond. As one ages the body naturally needs more weight to maintain the same energy levels. If this is the case, Maidana would lose most of his natural advantages at 147. This is why Victor Ortiz has waited to 147 to call out Maidana, because he knows at genuine welterweight, Maidanas punches won't have the same threat. And Maidana will be even slower and cruder in his boxing ability.

After last nights performance, JMM would be smart to call out Maidana and take him down. It would be a huge fight, and I think JMM could potentially school Maidana.

[studentofthegam]

Some people feel Maidana fought the way he always has. In terms of talent and boxing ability this may be true. But the number of power shots he threw last night was far less than his previous few fights. And his work rate during the first half of the fight also seemed far less than usual. But I don't want to take away what Morales was able to do, he deserves credit for legend he is.

Just youtube, the Ortiz or Khan fight. The Ortiz fight in particular shows the Maidana intensity very well. In the Morales fight, in bursts we see Maidana approach those levels, but in the aforementioned Ortiz fight, he maintained the insane intensity throughout. If you compare the fights, Maidana truly looks like a shadow of his former self.

I could be wrong. But I have a feeling its down to weight. This happens to fighters in their late twenties and beyond. As one ages the body naturally needs more weight to maintain the same energy levels. If this is the case, Maidana would lose most of his natural advantages at 147. This is why Victor Ortiz has waited to 147 to call out Maidana, because he knows at genuine welterweight, Maidanas punches won't have the same threat. And Maidana will be even slower and cruder in his boxing ability.

After last nights performance, JMM would be smart to call out Maidana and take him down. It would be a huge fight, and I think JMM could potentially school Maidana.

Excuses excuses. If you want to look at the difference in the Khan and Ortiz fight in comparison its this. Khan has no chin and couldnt afford to stand in there. Ortiz chose to stand in without moving his head. Morales on the other hand stood his ground and used masterful head movement not allowing Maidana to wail away. He also made him pay when he missed. Unlike Khan, Morales used a jab as his defense when he was rocked a little rather than trying to run away. Morales saw his punches coming a mile away just like Corley did or any seasoned boxer will do from here on out with Maidana. I dont think Maidana's a push over but he will lose more times than not against the top 'boxers' from here on out. He was outclassed last night plain and simple.

[Maidana vs Rios]

Maidana is past prime.

Even against Khan, his punches haven't looked as fast and sharp as they did against Kotelnik and Ortiz.

We keep saying he didn't take so and so seriously, but I'm starting to think he's just slowing down.

He should ask his chinese comrade Pac for some A-side mef.

Or just bring back the mullet.