MARCOS RENE MAIDANA

updated June 27, 2009

A devastating puncher with a take-no-prisoners style in the ring, Marcos Maidana has rapidly made his mark on the world boxing scene as he approaches his interim WBA junior welterweight title fight against Victor Ortiz on June 27.

The Argentine national amateur champion in 2002 and 2003, was also a quarterfinalist at the 2003 World Championships. Maidana finished off his amateur career after just missing the 2004 Olympics, losing a close decision to eventual U.S. Olympian Rock Allen in the final qualifying tournament.

Knowing that his fighting style was tailor-made for the pro game, Maidana entered the punch for pay ranks on June 12, 2004 with a first round knockout of Adan Mironchik. And in his early days, it was clear that Maidana didn't care to stick around in the ring too long, as his first seven victories (all knockouts) saw him end six of those fights in the opening round.

It wasn't until August of 2005 that the precocious Maidana was finally extended the six round distance in a fight (by Daniel Carriqueo). Since then, all his victories have come by knockout, 13 of them in three rounds or less.

On December 22, 2006, Maidana earned his first pro title when he halted respected contender Miguel Callist in three rounds to take the WBA Fedelatin title. The bout also served as a WBA title elimination bout, but the Argentinean knockout artist was avoided until February of 2009, when the 25-0 battler finally got his shot against Andriy Kotelnik. Unfortunately, what many saw as a clear victory for Maidana in Germany—Kotelnik's adopted home country—turned into a split decision win for the champion, who retained his belt.

But Maidana will get his second shot at the belt when he battles Ortiz for the interim title in his United States debut.