The buzz from last night still hasn't worn off, as boxing fans can't stop talking about Marcos Maidana's unanimous decision win against Adrien Broner from last night, a big capper to a big-time year for Showtime boxing.
Maidana (35-3, 31 KO) floored Broner (27-1, 22 KO) twice en route to the win, which was so clear that even boxing judges in Texas couldn't screw it up. It's a major setback for Broner, 24, who was being positioned as a future PPV star. But this isn't the first time that the 30-year-old Maidana has upset the apple cart at Golden Boy, as this win brought back memories of his 2009 stoppage of Victor Ortiz, who was also supposed to be a "next big thing."
Broner says he wants an immediate rematch, and gave Maidana credit for being "the better man."
On the undercard, Keith Thurman stopped the rugged Jesus Soto Karass in nine rounds, admitting that Soto Karass hurt him early, which caused Thurman to first fight back hard, then make adjustments that led to him befuddling the veteran. If there was a future welterweight star on display last night, it might have been the 25-year-old Thurman (22-0, 20 KO, and not Broner.
Leo Santa Cruz improved to 26-0-1 (15 KO) with a solid decision win over a game and capable Cesar Seda (27-2, 15 KO), retaining his WBC title via unanimous decision. In the Showtime opener, Beibut Shumenov demolished a grossly outclassed Tamas Kovacs in what was played as an audition for a fight with Bernard Hopkins.
On Showtime Extreme before the main card, Canelo Alvarez's older brother Ricardo got Texas justice with a highly dubious win over Rod Salka, and Robert Easter stayed perfect at 8-0 (8 KO) with a first round TKO of Hardy Paredes. Before the TV bouts, Jermain Taylor, Rau'Shee Warren, and Jamel Herring all notched victories.