Now you are a big star in the US – how do you think about your time in Germany?
Rene Marcos Maidana: I learned a lot in Germany. The culture, the correctness of the people. I really love Germany. After all, Germany has important power. I would love to go there again and learn more of the people there. I will always be grateful for what I learned over there, for the way people helped my pushing my career and for the way I was treated..
Do you still work with the same coach?
After the Kotelnik fight we decided working with another coach, and I think that was the right thing. My former coach was very good until that stage of my career. We started with Miguel Diaz before the fight vs. Victor Ortiz and I am very content. He has great experience in the corner and I do feel very safe with him.
What was your greatest fight ever?
Come who may … I have respect for all of them, but if I want to be the best, I have to fight the best.
How do you think about Manny Pacquiao?
He is the best at present and for me it would be a great honor to fight him. I would give my very best and it would be a dream come true to defeat him.
What are you doing when you don´t box?
I love fishing, I enjoy music, but above all I love to spend time and have fun with my son. Also, I am a big fan of my soccer club “Colon de Santa Fé” and often take my son to their matches. Obviously, I love boxing and watching good fights. Finally, I enjoy visiting my hometown Margarita and being with the family crowd.
What is your biggest wish in life?
To have a good life for my family and to make good money so they do not lack anything. I would like to become part of boxing history and fight the best.
What you wanna say to European and German boxing fans?
My second home country is Germany, the time I spent there was very important for my career. I will always be thankful to Universum and the German people. I often talk to my friends in this wonderful country and I do hope to come back and be able to give back some of the affection they showed me. Also, I will try and learn some of their language so it will be easier for me to communicate with them.
How do you feel one week before your next big fight in the US?
Maidana: I have had the best preparation of my entire career. Now I am at 144 lbs, eight days before the fight, perfect.
How and were did you prepare for Cayo?
Maidana: I have started preparation 60 days ago and have been training for 35 days here in Las Vegas, focusing on the fight and holding a special diet.
How do you think about your opponent Victor Cayo? You know him well?
Maidana: I have watched several videos. He has a good technique, swift legs, very fast. I hope we will not be able to resist my power, and if he is, then I am prepared to win on points.
Are you angry, that Amir Khan didn’t want to fight you?
Maidana: You know, Khan wouldn’t like to face me at the moment. This shows his intelligence. I would have liked to make a unification fight right now, but my Manager Mario Margossian advised me that it would be better to make two fights in the US before the unification, which will be a very important fight.
Would you even beat Khan? How do you think about him?
Maidana: I have watched various tapes of Khan’s fights and thus know him quite well. He will not be able to resist my attacks. I am sure that I am going to win by KO.
How do you think about your defeat against Kotelnik one year ago?
Maidana: This was a very balanced fight. I think I would have deserved a very close win, but the judges did not see it that way. This defeat really hurt me, but helped me develop, I scrutinized myself and tried to advance in every way, and this is what I continue to do.
You can watch again the whole fight Maidana vs. Kotelnik on our new YouTube-Channel! Please visit www.youtube.com/UBPboxing
Maidana vs. Cayo and Guzman vs. Funeka are presented by Golden Boy Promotions with Maidana vs. Cayo being presented in association with Universum Box Promotions, Warriors Boxing Promotions and Sampson Boxing and Funeka vs. Guzman being presented in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Cedric Kushner’s Gotham Boxing. The world championship doubleheader will air live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:30pm ET (taped delayed on the West Coast at 10:30 PM PT). Doors open at 3:00 PM with the first bell ringing at 3:30 PM.
Tickets, priced at $200, $100 and $50 with a limited number of $250 VIP and $40 standing room tickets also available, go on sale on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 10 AM PT, and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.