Adrien Broner vs. Marcos Maidana: Trainer discusses strategy

Adrien Broner vs. Marcos Maidana: Trainer discusses strategy

The sport of boxing is truly a sweet science, as it requires a combination of skill and strategy to successfully compete.

One cannot merely go into a boxing match loosely flailing punches and expect a favorable outcome.

Trainers who assess the strengths and weaknesses of his or her fighter and their pupil’s opponent carefully orchestrate strategies.

All fighters have strengths and limitations, so formulating a strategy that compliments one fighter’s assets and exposes his opponent’s vulnerabilities is critical; trainers who do this best usually have the most success.

Robert Garcia, the 2012 Trainer of the Year and current trainer of Marcos ‘Chino’ Maidana, is one of the best at formulating winning strategies.

Maidana began working with Garcia after dropping a unanimous decision to Devon Alexander in February 2012. Since their connection, Maidana has been impressive, earning victories over Jesus Soto Karass, Angel Martinez, and most recently Josesito Lopez.

On December 14th, Maidana will face WBA Welterweight Champion Adrien ‘The Problem’ Broner in what will be a difficult and challenging match.

The elite trainer provided substantive insight about his fighter’s strategy in an interview he had with Argentinean radio station ‘Campeones en el Ring.’

Garcia understands he faces a difficult challenge in Broner, telling ‘CER’: “It’s a difficult fight. Broner is a fighter with a great style, very fast, and very strong.  However, He’s [Broner] never fought anyone like Chino at the welterweight level. He’s stronger than Broner, and will use those advantages against him.”

“I’ve worked with Chino on his jab and head movement. Those are things I’ve worked with Chino. Now, I have to find a little bit of speed. I’ll make him faster. Those are things we’re working on with the physical conditioning coach.”

Garcia did not just employ any Strength & Conditioning Coach, utilizing the services of world renowned trainer Alex Ariza, whose assisted numerous notable fighters reach their physical peak.  Most recently he prepared stable fighters Mikey Garcia and Brandon Rios reach physical bests’ while reaching their respective weights without difficulties.

In preparation for the fight, Garcia contracted three sparring partners who can somewhat emulate Broner’s difficult defensive style. The sparring partners have previously assisted prior Broner opponents and are expected to help sharpen Maidana.

Understanding Maidana is at a disadvantage in agility, footwork, and hand speed Garcia’s developed a strategy to counter his fighter’s weaknesses.  “We must defeat him with physical strength, with power punches, with heart, with volume punching.”

“We can’t potshot, if we do, he’ll counter with combinations of his own. If we throw combinations, we’ll make him use his defense. That’s what I need to do, make Chino be very busy have him throw 3 to 4 combinations every time he punches, keep him attacking round after round with no mercy and to do it for 12 rounds.”

Twenty-seven opponents have been unsuccessful against the undefeated Cincinnati native – does Garcia have the winning solution to ‘The Problem?‘ It’s something we’ll have to wait and see December 14^th.

-Sal Arteaga/ @Sal_Arteaga

Contributor for www.BehindTheGloves.com