Floyd Mayweather vs Marcos Maidana Rematch & Next Fight: Robert Garcia Says Mayweather Not That Strong

By John Santisteban | Jul 22, 2014 09:44 PM EDT

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Trainer Robert Garcia said that they will follow a different training regimen in Marcos Maidana's upcoming rematch against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on September 13 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

In an interview with BoxingScene, Garcia admitted that he made a mistake when he decided to let Maidana step on the ring heavier than the usual. The world-renowned trainer said that they decided to come in heavier because they want to have a size advantage against the reigning pound-for-pound king.

"I'm going to try to bring him into the ring at a different weight this time. Not as heavy. I think that was a mistake on my behalf. Since it was the first time fighting Mayweather, we wanted to take any advantage," Garcia said.

Garcia said the decision back fired as Maidana became slower than the usual and felt tired towards the end of the match. He said that they will not commit the same mistake again in the upcoming rematch now that they are aware that Mayweather is not as strong as they thought.

"Floyd is not as strong as we thought, so we are not making that mistake again. Chino would have been a lot faster and a lot stronger if he would have walked into that ring lighter. He would have had the same energy he had in the first six rounds," Garcia said.

Mayweather, on the other hand, offered kind words to Garcia, whom he named as one of the best coaches in the world, but the reigning pound-for-pound king insisted that Maidana won't become any better in the second fight.

"Robert Garcia is one of the best coaches in the world. [Maidana] can go with the best coach, but I'm the best fighter. I don't think [Maidana] can fight any better," Mayweather said.

The 37-year-old champion, who will put his WBC and WBA welterweight title along with his unblemished record on the line, vowed to go for the knockout win if given the opportunity.

"Of course I want the knockout. What happens is that I fight to win. If the opportunity for a knockout is there, then I'll take it. This is like a game of chess, every move I make is calculated," Mayweather said.

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