Maidana looks elsewhere
By Jonny Stapleton
Paul McCloskey’s world title hopes took a serious turn for the worst yesterday as Marcos Maidana revealed he will look elsewhere for his next opponent.
The WBA light welterweight champion was eager to come to Belfast and defend against the well supported Irish star.
However, after a couple of rounds of negotiations team Maidana stressed they haven’t received a viable or tempting offer and told Mirror Sport they have moved on.
El Chino, who like McCloskey has Amir Khan previous, will most likely line up a big name stateside and its back to the drawing board for Dungiven’s southpaw.
It is disappointing news for ‘Dudey’ and the Dudey Army, who packed out the Odyssey Arena when Breidis Prescott came to town in September, but the John Breen trained star is still a big draw and will return to the venue in a big fight next February.
With so much time between now and the Spring there is still slim McCloskey/Maidana hope, but as it stands what would have proved one of the biggest fight ever to come to Ireland is off.
“Frankly, at this point I don’t think they have something solid to offer. It is a shame really, but we have to move on,” Maidana’s manager Sebastian Contursi told Mirror Sport. “To be honest with you McCloskey’s Team are very nice indeed but I don’t think Matchroom has the money to get Marcos. I’ve spoken with Francie (McNicholl, McCloskey’s manager) last Wednesday. I asked Eddie Hearn to send his new proposal directly to Golden Boy Promotions. I haven’t heard anything of yet.”
