It’s Floyd Mayweather Jr. time again.

The No. 1 fighter in the world takes on Marcos Maidana on Saturday in Las Vegas, the first of two visits to the ring this year that will certainly draw more than a million pay-per-view buys and seize the attention of fans worldwide.

And, of course, THE RING Magazine gives you a detailed preview package to whet your appetite in our June 2014 issue, which is on newsstands now.

In our lead story, regular contributor Ron Borges opines in Ducking Opponents? No way that criticizing Mayweather for avoiding tough fights isn’t fair. He has generally faced the best … but on his terms.

Tim Smith, another contributor to THE RING, understands the value of the pay-per-view business model but suggests in Short Sighted? that it isn’t good for the sport because it doesn’t cater to a wide enough audience.

In That’s How He Rolls, contributor Bernard Fernandez asked five boxing experts to break down Mayweather’s signature defensive move – the shoulder roll. The results are fascinating.

Contributor Norm Frauenheim writes in More of the Same? that Maidana has considerable momentum after his stunning victory over Adrien Broner but faces the same monumental challenge so many have failed miserably to meet.

And, in our head-to-head analysis, RingTV.com Editor Doug Fischer provides his unparalleled breakdown of the Mayweather-Maidana matchup in 20 key categories.

Elsewhere in the issue, contributor Keith Idec writes in Gimpy or Great? that the key to middleweight champ Sergio Martinez’s chances against Miguel Cotto on June 7 is his health. Martinez expects to be 100 percent. We’ll see.

In The Birth of ‘Ali,’ contributor Thomas Hauser recounts how Muhammad Ali’s trip to Africa in 1964 played a profound role in the young champion’s identity.

And contributor Bart Barry writes in Favorite Son that Felix Trinidad and his fans in Puerto Rico had a passionate love affair. The story is part of our ongoing series on the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s Class of 2014, which includes Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya and Joe Calzaghe.

In our monthly departments:

• In Jabs and Straight Writes, Hauser writes that boxing is every bit as punishing on the body as it appears from the outside.
• In Advanced Degrees, Gregg Morgan connected the fighters believed to be the shortest and tallest titleholders ever – Pascal Perez (4 feet 11 inches) and Nikolai Valuev (7 feet) – in eight steps.
• The Ring Card Girl of the Month, sponsored by Corona, is Carla Daniela.
• Contributor David Greisman writes in Ready to Grumble that the unfortunate Amir Khan missed out on two big fights, against Devon Alexander and Mayweather.
• Contributing Editor Brian Harty writes in Outside the Ropes that the gloves worn by Cassius Clay when he fought Sonny Liston fetched a fortune at auction.
• Canelo Alvarez, who bounced back from his loss to Mayweather by dominating Alfredo Angulo, is our Fighter of the Month.
• U.K. contributor Gareth A Davies tells the inspirational story of Curtis Woodhouse in Letters from Europe.
• Another installment of RingTV.com Editor Doug Fischer’s thoughts are featured in Best of Dougie’s Mailbag.
• Thomas Gerbasi, our Women’s Boxing columnist, writes that Claressa Shields has been largely overlooked in spite of her gold medal in the 2012 Olympics.
• In Sweet Science, written by Scott LaFee, we debate the value of eliminating head gear for elite amateur fighters.
• And Joseph Santoliquito writes in Amateur Boxing that we should keep an eye on prodigy Shakur Stevenson.

The July 2014 issue of THE RING Magazine is on newsstands now. Don't know where to find it? Just click on the QR code below or go to http://www.wheresmymagazine.com, which will indicate what newsstands in your area sell THE RING. Or subscribe to the magazine — both the print and digital versions — by clicking here. You can also purchase the current issue on that page.