Chino Maidana hits me.

Defeat of "Puma" Martinez.Death of his cousin "Pireta".His new attitude and definition as the head of the company is: "Everything will fall into place."

The 104th.The convention of the World Boxing Association began to become a memory.Intense days were left behind, which included the re-election as president of Gilberto Jesús Mendoza, or the analysis of the future of boxing with the appearance of new promoters or the satisfaction of having close contact with great champions of yesterday and today.

Venue: Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

The time: talk face to face, without rushing.

Main character: Marcos Rene 'Chino' Maidana, former World Association Super Featherweight and Middleweight Champion.

-As always, nice to meet you.

- Likewise.I met Gilberto Mendoza again, who was a very important leader for me, because I was the champion of the association, and a great mentor in my work, like Gilberto's father, whom I remember as a great man.I remembered them as friends for many years.Ever since I started fighting professionally, it's been like this every time.And as always Gilbertico always gave good advice.

-You are not someone who attends regular conventions.You are very happy to see many boxers, journalists and promoters.

- Yeah, I've been gone for a while.The last one I think is here, in the same place, but I was here a few years ago.

- I cannot fail, for certain reasons, your first cousin, 'Pileta' (N. de R.: Gustavo Martín died at the age of 48, on August 28, 2025), a very difficult time for you to end the year like this.

- But he is always with me and not only in this medal (showing us the picture hanging around his neck), because the 'chicken' is always there.I believe that I am here as an advertisement because: he started me as a boxing promoter;I started as a boxer, and after I retired, he asked me to be involved in this business.

Marcos Rene Maidana fought 40 fights, of which he won 35, by 4 points and 31 by knockout, with 5 losses."Chino", as he is known to everyone, was born in Margarita, Santa Fe Province, he fought his last fight on September 13, 2014, when he lost for the second time to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas.

He held multiple regional titles in the WBA super lightweight and welterweight divisions and became the regular world champion in that division when he defeated Adrien Broner in a dominant performance on December 14, 2013 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

For Maidana, nothing has been easy in his career: he did not come in as the favorite in most of his big fights.This exalts his achievements and measures the strength of the rivals against whom he has lost.

Today, July 17, the 42-year-old is the owner of Chino Maidana Promotions.

-There is an obligation that you have to do in a more convincing way: your company, through KNOCK OUT, put the fight of Argentina on the screen.

- Yes and we are working on it.We do events and we want to expand to other countries as well: we have already done boxing in Bolivia and now we will see if there is a possibility to go to Panama and Colombia.it's good that the promoter also invests in those who are just getting there, or those who want to get there and don't have the means.

-This is an important role for a true promoter...

- It is necessary to search for the whereabouts of the champions who have not appeared.And a lot of good talent is lost because it doesn't move.I lived in a city: a man came there with a bag and a pair of gloves and hung it ... And well, I went there, and this is an example of why you should go to the source.Below are the true champions of life, and from there come the strongest.

-Speaking of champions, Argentine boxing suffered a lot from the loss of 'Puma' Martínez to Jesse 'Bam' Rodríguez.you were thereWhat reflection did that loss give you?

-'Puma' faced an opponent who was a true champion.She came good physically and mentally, but the other one gave me so much more.I don't know if it was on another level or not, but it stood out that way.The 'cougar' said he was hit so hard that he felt like he wasn't even moving when he hit him.But the other one was up for a very good fight…

-If you have fights you should have won or should have won like Victor Ortiz, Adrien Broner or Floyd…

-Yes and that is why Martínez must also think or know what he is spending.And if you lose it's not easy.When you lose everything changes;your face, your thoughts ... For example: when I lost against Andreas Kotelnick (February 7, 2009, WBA super low weight in Rostock, Germany, two judges gave 2 points to the house) I want to retire.But I come back and look at everything I've done since.And when I lost to Devon Alexander (February 25, 2012) I said "I quit" and I started again.That's what goes through the minds of boxers when they lose, but a little time passes, sometimes a month, and they start training, they want to get back.I think that is possible with 'Puma'.Now is the time to think, the time to rest and think about what you want to do.

The fight with 'Bam' was never so difficult...

- No, but for example, both of you with Kazuto Ioka are strong and the previous ones have a total of three or four.In that weight, they throw a lot of punches and there is a lot of competition.China Maidana Promotions also failed because she is our world champion.

- And now?

- We continue to work with boxers.And we will continue to expand significantly throughout the country and throughout Latin America, and we plan to continue with everything fully.

-Suddenly you have to take on a more important role because it is not "Pileta" who was your brother.

- First it was 'Pileta' who started and put everything together;So I just went to join him.But now that he's not here, I'm going to get involved.I will follow the path he has made.I am getting more involved, not only am I still the visible face but now I will be a promoter.I always drove, even if I was behind him, like a shadow.Everything is going to happen.We will learn, because I know what I need and in boxing you never stop learning.Just like in life, right?So let's climb.

- He learns from his mistakes: if you had to make an analysis, what could have been improved or could not have been successful in the fight against Puma, what would you think?

- I think "Bam" was much better."Puma" arrived there;I don't know what could have been improved, but that was it.The second one was very good: he also punched.Physically, Martinez has done very well because Rodrigo Calabrese has always prepared him well.I think he was equal in training but not in boxing because the latter was much better.

- Thinking that some may be wrong...

- Yes, we have hope, and the other one hits hard, and you have to bet on it."Puma" was good, I had a lot of faith in him to win, he beat several champions, but that's the thing about boxing: you lose and you win.We're used to winning, not winning, but you have to get up and start over.Not a trip down.

- There are names in Argentine boxing asking for their chance, and perhaps it is your turn to open the door.

-Of course, I have always seen and studied the subject of boxing a little.I know there is a champion every five or ten years.We are waiting for it: a champion will come, but it will take a few years and a good one will come.There is a lot of talent, but there is still no one who is a crack, but you have to know how to find it.

- Has the group removed the gun?

-It will remain the same, but there will be some integration from the organization's point of view.For now, it's upgraded again and everyone will be in their place.

-And also, the place now has more 'Chino' than before.

-I will add my son.This is a business and no one will take care of you better than your family.At the last event my son (Marcos Nahuel) was there, he pays the boxers, he brings something to keep himself in shape because he has been with me for a long time.Now, he didn't come because he didn't have a visa: he would have to renew it, otherwise he would stay here.It would be a trip, as he went to Japan or Arabia.Besides, he also speaks English: it's good to have a translator who won't mistake one thing for another.He ("Rufus" is the nickname of his twenty-year-old son) is going to attend and learn.

- Can we talk about a new "Chinese"?

- Yes, it will happen, there is a new "Chino".Be sure of this.From now on, everyone will be in their place.

Maidan left a feeling in the air that something new would happen in his work teamThe Chinese say little, but say a lotAnd this is the truth