Marcos Maidana Wants Timothy Bradley Next Year

After Bob Arum's recent statement that he tried to get Marcos Maidana for a November 12 fight with newly-signed Top Rank junior welterweight Timothy Bradley, Maidana tells Chris Robinson that he's definitely interested in that fight next year:

"I’d like Bradley to win and then I can fight him. About a year ago my former manager arranged a fight with him behind my back and then when I realized it he made up an injury to justify that I didn’t sign the contract. Some people thought I was the one who faked the injury but if you asked Golden Boy Promotions they know exactly how it happened. Then, I heard that Bradley himself had managerial issues and I understand it 100%. But now we are now clear to fight each other."

Maidana (31-2, 28 KO) and Bradley (27-0, 11 KO) are both near the top of the 140-pound division, and a fight between the two is an interesting style clash, I think. Maidana's reckless aggression and Bradley's craftiness could make for a really good fight, and also a pretty "dirty" fight, as I could see the two of them getting pretty chippy.

One thing seems clear: We're not going to see Amir Khan vs Timothy Bradley any time soon. With Khan ready to move up to 147 after his December 10 fight with Lamont Peterson, the British star is aiming for a 2012 fight with Floyd Mayweather. I'm not saying that Khan vs Bradley will never happen -- if they both keep winning, it would probably be inevitable at 147, maybe in 2013 or so. But both are being positioned for bigger money fights. Khan wants Mayweather, and there's been interest on both sides, and Bradley is widely believed to be in line for a crack at Manny Pacquiao next year. Imagine if both won those fights. Khan and Bradley would instantly be serious stars and very bankable guys.

Maidana also mentions Paul McCloskey as a potential next opponent. Those two went back-and-forth on Twitter a while back in a very respectful manner, simply acknowledging mutual interest in a fight. That one might be realistic, especially as Maidana has expressed a willingness to go to McCloskey's turf for the fight. Another possible opponent for Maidana is Erik Morales, but for some reason I just don't see that rematch happening.

As for Maidana calling Lamont Peterson a "cherry-picked" opponent for Khan, I know that Maidana and Khan both talk a lot of trash, but I think one thing is overlooked pretty often: Maidana lost to Amir Khan. He got that fight, which most thought Khan wouldn't take, and then he lost. I'm not knocking Maidana wanting a rematch or anything, because I'd gladly welcome one as it was a great fight, but the way some people talk about it, you'd think Maidana beat Khan or there was some controversy or something.