The controversial nature of their first fight led to an immediate demand for a rematch. Mayweather, pressured by critics and fans, agreed to face Maidana again on September 13, 2014. However, this second fight remains a sore point for Maidana, who believes it was manipulated in Mayweather’s favor.
One of the biggest controversies leading up to the fight was the issue of gloves. Maidana originally intended to use his preferred Everlast MX gloves, which offer less padding and allow for harder punches. However, Mayweather’s team strongly objected, arguing that the gloves provided an unfair advantage. Despite Maidana’s protests, he was forced to switch to a different set of gloves, which he later claimed affected his punching power.
Additionally, Maidana accused Mayweather of employing excessive clinching and defensive tactics, making the rematch less about boxing skill and more about Mayweather avoiding danger. Maidana expressed his anger at what he saw as biased refereeing, stating:
> _”The second fight was not a real fight. He ran, he held, he did everything to survive. And the referee allowed it. That’s not boxing—that’s running.”_
This sentiment was shared by many fans who were disappointed by the lack of action in the rematch. Mayweather, known for his defensive prowess, avoided toe-to-toe exchanges and relied heavily on holding, clinching, and frustrating Maidana’s offense. The strategy worked in Mayweather’s favor, as he secured a more convincing unanimous decision victory.
However, Maidana’s frustration goes beyond just the scorecards. He believes that Mayweather was more concerned about protecting his undefeated record than proving his greatness inside the ring. To Maidana, Mayweather’s unwillingness to engage in a real fight and his refusal to acknowledge the difficulty of their bouts is what makes him a “coward.”
Mayweather’s fighting style has long been a divisive topic in the boxing world. While some hail his defensive mastery as proof of his greatness, others believe that his tactics are closer to avoidance than true boxing.
Maidana is firmly in the latter camp. Unlike boxers who appreciate Mayweather’s ability to make opponents miss, Maidana sees his style as a way to escape real combat rather than engage in it.
> _”Boxing is about heart, not just defense. If you are the best, then fight like the best. Don’t run, don’t clinch, don’t play politics with the sport.”_
For many fans, Maidana’s criticism echoes a long-standing complaint about Mayweather’s career: his reluctance to take on the most dangerous opponents at their peak. Critics argue that he carefully selected fights that minimized risk, avoiding prime matchups with heavy punchers and favoring defensive strategies that prioritized winning on the scorecards over entertaining battles.
Maidana’s comments add fuel to this debate, raising questions about whether Mayweather’s undefeated record is truly a reflection of his dominance or just a carefully maintained illusion.
Mayweather’s 50-0 record is often cited as proof that he is one of the greatest boxers of all time. However, fighters like Maidana challenge this narrative, arguing that his legacy is built on carefully selected opponents, controversial decisions, and a defensive style that avoided true battles.
Maidana’s anger is not just about his own fights—it’s about what he sees as a disservice to the sport. He believes that boxing should be about warriors proving their worth in the ring, not about manipulating the system to protect an undefeated record.
His frustration is shared by many boxing purists who long for the days of true champions—fighters who were willing to take on all challengers without hesitation. To them, Mayweather’s legacy will always come with an asterisk, a question mark over whether he truly proved himself as the best.
Though their fights took place years ago, the controversy surrounding Mayweather vs. Maidana remains as heated as ever. Maidana’s recent outburst is proof that he still believes justice was never served. His accusations against Mayweather go beyond simple rivalry—they represent a larger debate about how boxing should be fought and how champions should carry themselves.
While Mayweather continues to bask in his undefeated status, fighters like Maidana ensure that the conversation about his career remains unsettled. Whether fans agree with Maidana or not, one thing is certain: the debate over Mayweather’s true greatness is far from over.
As long as fighters like Maidana speak out, the question will remain: Was Mayweather truly unbeatable, or was he simply the best at avoiding defeat?