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On Friday night at Sociedad Alemana in Villa Ballester, Argentina, light welter Marcos Rene Maidana finally captured the WBA belt by halting opponent Petr Petrov in a bruising contest.
Native Argentine Maidana had defended the Interim WBA crown on four occasions, but failed on two previous attempts at the full title, dropping decisions to Amir Khan and Andriy Kotelnyk.
Fighting out of Spain for the majority of his 11 year career, Russian born Petrov had largely faced obscure competition with the exception of losing a decision to future WBC super feather strapholder VitaliTajbert in 2007.
The 28 year old had won the Interim WBC Latino lightweight trophy last November and brought a 13 bout winning streak to the table against Maidana.
Once the combat commenced at Sociedad Alemana on Friday, the smaller, less experienced Petrov had a hard time dealing with Maidana, who spent the first round roughing up the Russian around the ring.
To make matters worse, Petrov was counted in the final seconds of the opening frame when his glove touched the canvas after fielding a right hand from the local man.
Maidana became even more aggressive in the second but Petrov showed good countering skills and began to come forward, putting his antagonist on the defensive for the first time in the contest.
Maidana got in a few good right hands but couldn’t follow up against Petrov, who showed excellent footwork in getting off the ropes and scored with a couple left jab, left hook combinations.
The best work Maidana did in the second was in bullying Petrov in the clinches but “El Chino” was starting to test the rule boundaries, receiving a warning for hitting on the break.
The action became more intense in the third, with both fighters swinging for the fences and connecting with hard shots in what had become a full on fight.
By the end of the stanza, both fighters looked very tired but managed to stage a spirited firefight before the bell.
Although Petrov had fought his rival to a standstill, Maidana was clearly the bigger puncher as the visitor did get shaken a couple of times and wasn’t able to take the punishment as well as career light welter Maidana.
The fourth started with Maidana looking more focused, working behind the jab. After missing a haymaker right, Maidana connected flush with a full-bore right cross that immediately dropped Petrov onto his knees.
The Russian beat the count with no trouble and was trying to land a big shot on the oncoming Maidana. Petrov was fortunate not to get counted for another knockdown when his glove briefly touched the canvas.
Petrov gained time by managing to pin Maidana on the ropes and was soon back in the fight, giving as good as he was taking.
But Maidana was relentless and took control after nailing Petrov with a good left hook. Maidana then got in a crisp right uppercut and assaulted Petrov with both hands on the ropes, dropping his flagging opponent with a left to the body.
A weathered-looking Petrov took his time getting up but did beat the count only to have the bout waved off by referee Uriel Aguilera with 22 seconds remaining in the fourth.
Maidana sees his record to 31-2 (28) but could be looking at a very difficult defense if he has to face number one WBA challenger Humberto Soto, 56-7-2 (33), the former WBC lightweight and super feather champion from Mexico.
Petrov drops to 29-3-2 (13).
