Daily Mail UK, 15 July 2014
Floyd Mayweather Dares Marcos Maidana to Put His Money Where his Mouth is
-and Bet his Share of Their Title Fight Purse
Floyd Mayweather tried to goad Marcos Maidana into betting his share of the purse on the outcome of their Las Vegas rematch.
The pound-for-pound No 1 told the Argentine to put his money where his mouth is ahead of the September 13 clash as the welterweights faced the world's media in New York's Times Square on Monday.
Mayweather boasted that he expects to earn $70million (£41m) while Maidana pocketed $1.5m (£900,000) for their first fight in May, plus his share of the pay-per-view sales.
Who's No 1?: Floyd Mayweather is sure he knows the answer and has told Marcos Maidana to bet on it
Rematch: Mayweather and Maidana meet again after their last fight ended in a decision for the champion
Proud Argentine: Maidana will be aiming to do what his nation's football team couldn't against Germany - win
Confidence personified: Mayweather will be pocketing about £41million for the fight
Mayweather said: 'Since I know I’m probably making about $70m... he believes in his skills and I believe in my skills.
'So however much you’re making for the fight, I’ll bet you I’ll beat you. That’s how much I believe in myself because I can afford to give up whatever.
So if you believe in your skills like you say you believe in your skills, however much you’re making for the fight, I’ll bet I beat you.
'If he believes in his skills, bet the fight. Either you’re going to bet or not.'
Mayweather struggled to deal with the rugged 30-year-old at the MGM Grand earlier this year but eventually ground out a majority decision.
And the undefeated 37-year-old took a swipe at Maidana's tactics.
He added: 'Am I fighting a boxer or am I fighting an MMA fighter? What I can’t believe is this is one of the best trainers in the world but he’s telling his fighter to fight dirty.
Face-off: Mayweather (left) and Maidana pose on Pedestrian Walk in Times Square, New York on Monday
He added: 'Am I fighting a boxer or am I fighting an MMA fighter? What I can’t believe is this is one of the best trainers in the world but he’s telling his fighter to fight dirty.
'If he can beat me, do it the honest way, earn it the hard way. But I gotta realise this. I know where I’m at in my career because I was champion when your trainer was champion. It’s been almost 20 years and I’m still here.
'When your trainer’s career was long gone I’m still here. When I beat you and your career’s over, guess what? I’ll still be right here.'
Maidana said: 'I think I deserved this rematch. Without a doubt, we’re going to prove who won the first fight in this rematch.'