Mario Barrios Keeps Title Hopes Alive With Win Over Maidana
In a welterweight showdown, Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (29-2, 18KO) scored a unanimous decision win over Fabian “TNT” Maidana (22-3, 16KO).
In the opening round, El Azteca fought well behind the jab, looking to score easy points while fighting well off the front foot. Maidana, typically a slow starter, picked up the pace a little in the next round. Barrios landed a beautiful counter right hand that dropped the Argentinian to the canvas in the third round. Yet, TNT got up after the knockdown and fought like a man possessed.
The next couple of rounds weren’t as eventful as they should have been. Maidana fought better in spots, landing solid hooks and the overhand right. Yet, Barrios, after following his opponent around the ring, landed one punch at a time. He should have attacked more from mid-range, especially since he was effective with the jab.
Going into the championship rounds, the fight didn’t get any better. El Azteca continued to follow TNT around the ring looking to attack in spots. Maidana pretty much fought off the back foot in semi-retreat mode. However, he did land some decent countershots.
After twelve rounds, all three judges were in agreement with a score of 116-111 in favor of Barrios.
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