WASHINGTON - Marcos Maidana is so confident he will beat undefeated world champion Floyd Mayweather that he said he would risk his prize money for their September 13 welterweight rematch.

Argentina's Maidana lost on 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 on 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.

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."

Mayweather also taunted Maidana as being a dirty fighter, noting a gash on his right eyelid he said came from a head-butt. - AFP