Mayweather gets bitten, but beats Maidana and defends boxing reign

Mayweather (left) defeated M. Maidana (right) in a controversial fight. Photo: Disclosure

After 17 years, the boxing world is once again living with a bite in a duel valid for a belt. In 1997, Mike Tyson starred in a historic scene by biting Evander Holyfield's ear. In the early hours of this Sunday (14), in Las Vegas, Argentine Marcos Maidana used the same device to sink his teeth into the glove of star Floyd Mayweather and create a huge controversy in the ring set up at the MGM Gran Garden Arena.

After becoming visibly irritated by his rival's attitude, 'Money', as the champion is known, used his speed to defeat Maidana in a unanimous decision by the judges (115×112, 116x,111, 116×111). With the victory, Mayweather defended the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight belts. “He bit my fingers, so I couldn’t feel my hand after the eighth round,” said Floyd, showing his “bitten” hand after the fight.

The fight

In the first fight between Mayweather and Maidana, in May this year, the Argentine had an electrifying start, but improved his physical conditioning in the final part. This time however, Marcos controlled his speed at the beginning of the fight and the champion managed to win the first partials. With enormous speed to strike and get out of range, Floyd opened up an advantage on the cards.

From the fourth round onwards, Maidana put his pressure style into practice. He closed the distance and hit the champion hard. Mayweather dodged most of the attacks, but always moved backwards.

In the sixth round, Mayweather returned to the attack and hit his rival well. With intelligence, he abused feints, dodges and accurate attacks. The champion still managed to stop the fight in all of the Argentine's attacks, a fact that irritated Marcos.

The fight's controversy occurred in the eighth round. Maidana lowered his head and Mayweather pressed his glove against the Argentine's face. At this moment, the challenger bit the champion's hand, who became angry and complained about his opponent's attitude. The fight was stopped for a few minutes.

When the fight resumed, Maidana went for all or nothing. Behind the judges' sheets, the challenger moved forward and sought the attack the entire time. In the 11th round, it was the Argentine's turn to complain about the champion's low blow. Again, the central referee only recorded a formal warning.

In the 12th and final round, Maidana continued to hunt the champion, but Mayweather abused feints, dodges and provocations to avoid the heavy attacks and take the fight with a unanimous decision from the judges.