Marcos ‘Chino’ Maidana is coming off of a pair of decision losses to Floyd Mayweather yet still remains a big attraction (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
During his latest visit to Las Vegas, trainer Robert Garcia took a few minutes to speak with the media following his fighter Erik Ruiz’s tough loss to Jessie Magdaleno inside of Texas Station Casino.
Garcia is one of the most sought-after trainers in the game and his stable of fighters in his gym down in Oxnard, Calif. is also one of the deepest in the sport.
Garcia twice led Marcos Maidana into battle vs. Floyd Mayweather in 2014, with the Argentinean losing via majority and unanimous decisions in May and September. Maidana gave spirited efforts in each match but ultimately couldn’t crack through Mayweather’s vaunted defense enough to sway the judges in his favor.
The rugged Argentinean is still a highly-marketable figure in the sport and Garcia feels that only the biggest of fights will be enough to lure ‘Chino’ back into the ring.
“Like I told you, knowing Marcos, he’s not going to settle for the 1.2, 1.3 (million dollar) fights,” Garcia explained. “He wants the 3, 4 million dollar fights and that’s [Manny] Pacquiao. And if doesn’t happen, he has to come up with something good.”
Garcia believes that Maidana’s experiences against Mayweather will only help him if a Pacquiao challenge does come to fruition.
“Definitley, definitely,” Garcia confirmed. “After that he’s known throughout the world. Everybody loves him, everybody respects him. he’s earned his position where he’s at now.
“Just being there and having a chance to go in there with somebody like Pacquiao, it’s already an accomplishment and I think he has a chance,” Garcia added.
The latest talk of course has Pacquiao possibly in line to face Floyd Mayweather on May 2 but no official word as of yet.
*** Check below for the full interview with Robert Garcia plus other boxing updates
Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com