Floyd Mayweather faced his toughest test in years earlier this year against Marcos Maidana, and despite previously calling him a "bum" in the promotion for their September 13 Showtime pay-per-view rematch, the 37-year-old Mayweather (46-0, 26 KO) is currently throwing respect Maidana's way -- a little, anyway.
"The first fight was action packed for the first four rounds before I took control," said Mayweather. "He has the will to win like I do. He's a tough competitor and he has Argentina on his back--and of course I represent the red, white and blue so we must give the fans what they want to see. ... It's another blockbuster."
Mayweather has also previously said that he will box more like he has in the past, giving the impression that he fought Maidana more toe-to-toe on purpose. He's promising to be better this time around, though his idea of what's exciting might differ from most boxing fans'.
"On September 13, I will be faster. I will be stronger. I will be a better fighter. This time around it will be a more exciting fight," he said.
The key to the fight, Mayweather believes, is that he has proven an ability to fight different styles, whereas he sees Maidana as a one-speed fighter.
"I think that every time that Maidana has gone out and fought opponents, other opponents and even myself, he's done the same thing," Mayweather said. "Whereas out of the 45 that I've faced, I was able to do different things. I can box. I can counter punch. I can box on the move. I can counter punch on the move. The only way that he can fight is to slug."