Maidana on track for Khan after gruelling decision over Corley

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Box Clever: Maidana retains interim title©Boxing.de

Marcos Maidana won a tougher-than-expected unanimous decision over DeMarcus Corley in Buenos Aeries to retain his interim-WBA light welterweight title which could set him up for a December showdown with champion Amir Khan. The 27-year-old Argentinean knocked Corley down in the eighth but had to go the distance for only the third time in his career to ensure victory on the scorecards.

Maidana was heavy favourite to win the bout against the 36-year-old Corley, who had lost nine of his last 15 fights, but couldn’t have expected such a tough fight in which in which he himself was shaken on the way to victory. The judges scored the bout 115-112, 115-112, 117-110.

It seemed Corley recognised the opportunity he was presented with and was ready to give it his all to take it, frequently going toe-to-toe with his heavy-handed opponent. These intense exchanges which took place throughout the bout could have saw either fighter fall to the canvas, but both managed to hang on.

That was until the eighth round when Corley was floored. He managed to get back on his feet by the count of nine, but Maidana was looking to finish it. However, in his eagerness to land big on his opponent, Maidana himself walked into some huge blows and failed to take the fight early.

Corley certainly gave as good as he got, both to the head and body. Having fought just last month with a fourth round technical knockout over Damian Fuller, Corley did well to not only last till the end but give it his all in a fight that was a lot closer than the scorecards suggest.

The victory takes Maidana’s record to 29-1 (27 KOs) but he will be disappointed not to have won comfortably against the Washingtonian veteran.

While not being the knockout victory he had hoped for, or the performance he had prepared, the win certainly keeps Maidana on track to challenge for Khan’s WBA title.

As for Corley, a defeat to Maidana is no shame and he certainly showed his grit and determination against his younger and stronger opponent. But with 14 defeats in his career – 10 of which coming in the last four years – it certainly seems like time to hang up his gloves or continue along the downward slope.

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