Marcos Maidana is so confident he will beat undefeated world champion Floyd Mayweather that he said Monday he would risk his prize money for their September 13 welterweight rematch.
Argentina's Maidana lost a majority decision to Mayweather in their title unification bout in May but last week Mayweather announced that he would face the South American slugger again in Las Vegas.
The fighters launched a five-city promotional tour Monday in New York with Maidana speaking to reporters at a second event in Washington.
Mayweather, 46-0 with 26 knockouts, won the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council crowns after saying he would not fight until Maidana switched gloves, claiming his rival’s choice did not have enough padding.
Read more: Amir Khan on Mayweather: ‘Floyd looks beatable’
Maidana, 35-4 with 31 knockouts, agreed to switch gloves but brought up the issue when Mayweather dared him to bet his share of their rematch purse on a victory, asking, “We can bet whatever, but will he let me use my gloves?”
Maidana says he is ready to win in whatever gloves Mayweather chooses.
“I feel like this is my time now and I will win this rematch,” he said. “I’m willing to take the bet, no problem.”
But just which gloves will be used remains unclear.
“It hasn’t really been finalized yet,” Maidana said. “The last time I couldn’t use my gloves. I suspect that will be the situation again.
“I don’t think he’s afraid. I think he’s just trying to be cautious. He knows he has to respect my power.
“The gloves are not an issue. If you’re going to beat him you’re going to beat him.”
Mayweather also taunted Maidana as being a dirty fighter, noting a gash on his right eyelid.
“My eye didn’t get a deep gash from a punch. I got it from a head butt,” Mayweather said. “I’m not fighting a boxer. I’m fighting a (mixed martial arts) fighter.”
Maidana shrugged off the complaint and spoke of being elbowed often by Mayweather.
“Floyd is a fighter who always comes up with excuses,” Maidana said. “He calls me a dirty fighter and he always uses his elbows. If you want to fight dirty, I’m with you.
“He can do whatever he wants. He’s not getting into my head. If he would like to stand and fight I’ll beat him. If he runs I’ll chase him down and then beat him.”
Maidana said he plans no major changes for the rematch.
“I just have to fine tune a few things,” Maidana said. “I have to get my punches off a little better.”
Maidana was disappointed at Argentina’s loss to Germany in Sunday’s World Cup final but said he does not feel extra pressure to bring sporting glory to his homeland because of it.
“It was painful to see them lose but at the same time I was very happy for them -- they made the final and gave a great effort,” Maidana said.
“Of course you feel a little bit of pressure for your country, but I want to win it for myself.”
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SERIE A FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Roma v Udinese (5pm)
SPAL v Napoli (8pm)
Juventus v Torino (10.45pm)
Sunday
Sampdoria v AC Milan (2.30pm)
Inter Milan v Genoa (5pm)
Crotone v Benevento (5pm)
Verona v Lazio (5pm)
Cagliari v Chievo (5pm)
Sassuolo v Bologna (8pm)
Fiorentina v Atalanta (10.45pm)
Key Points
- Protests against President Omar Al Bashir enter their sixth day
- Reports of President Bashir's resignation and arrests of senior government officials
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
