Maidana gets serious in Las Vegas camp

When Miguel Diaz took over as Marcos Maidana’s lead trainer this year, he quickly realized that a change of scenery was needed for the junior welterweight to train properly.

So Diaz gave Maidana an ultimatum: Leave Argentina to train or find another trainer.

“I told him if he was serious about being a world champion, he had to come to Las Vegas where we have everything to get him ready to fight,” Diaz said.

Maidana heeded Diaz’s words and has spent the last 10 weeks here to prepare for Saturday’s fight against WBA champion Amir Khan at Mandalay Bay. Maidana now admits it was the best move he ever made.

“I’ve had one of my best camps — no distractions. I get up in the morning, train, then rest,” said Maidana, the interim WBA champion. “This is the fight that’s going to make me a champion and will lead to fight the other champions.”

Last week, Maidana (29-1, 27 knockouts) weighed about 145 pounds and doesn’t figure to have problems getting to 140 by Saturday.

“He’s looking very sharp in the gym,” Diaz said. “Everyone talks about the power in Maidana’s right hand. But the truth is, he can punch hard with either hand. He hits with both hands like a good punching middleweight does. It’s a big edge for him because the other guy will think twice before coming in.”

Maidana said he doesn’t think Khan (23-1, 17 KOs) will stand and fight. He figures he will spend most of the 12 rounds chasing Khan.

“I don’t think he can punch hard,” Maidana said. “He’s always running away. But we’ve spent the last 10 weeks preparing for that.”

■ KHAN-MAIDANA OFFICIALS — The Nevada Athletic Commission selected Las Vegas veteran Joe Cortez to referee the Khan-Maidana fight. The judges — Jerry Roth, C.J. Ross and Glenn Trowbridge — are from Las Vegas.

The commission also approved the use of gloves supplied by Reebok. Khan had requested permission to fight in Reeboks and will wear them Saturday.

■ 2011 DATES — Golden Boy’s card at Mandalay Bay on Saturday is the final pro event in Las Vegas this year, but the athletic commission has approved dates for several 2011 cards. The dates are:

Jan. 7 — A Banner Promotions card at Cox Pavilion, televised on ESPN2.

Feb. 26 — A Top Rank card at the Palms, headlined by the anticipated bantamweight title fight between Fernando Montiel and Nonito Donaire.

April 16 — A possible Manny Pacquiao bout at the MGM Grand Garden, but the commission has not issued approval.

May 7 — Golden Boy locked up the Cinco de Mayo weekend at the MGM Grand, where Juan Manuel Marquez could be the showcase attraction if he doesn’t fight Pacquiao in April.

■ SILVER NUGGET AMATEURS — The Silver Nugget Casino in North Las Vegas will host a 20-fight amateur card at 6 p.m. Saturday featuring fighters from Nevada, California and Utah. Tickets priced at $10 are available at the door.

Contact sports reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.