Current World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Lightweight champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana will join veteran trainer Robert Garcia and his team, Team Maidana announced.

“This is a great move for my career so I’m excited about it. By joining a trainer like Robert and his team I’ll be able to make all the necessary adjustments that are required for me to go to the next level,” Maidana said from Argentina.

The Oxnard, California-based Garcia, who also trains the likes of Nonito Donaire, Brandon Rios, Kelly Pavlik and Miguel Angel “Mickey” Garcia, is considered one of the best trainers of the new generation.

“It’s a honor for me to know that Maidana is interested in training with me. He has given the fans great fights so far. We are gonna to work with him in my gym now and I expect good things for him,” Roberto Garcia said.

After losing on points to Devon Alexander last February 25th in a non-title bout in his debut in the welterweight division, Maidana is still resting in his native town of Margarita but he is already planning to defend his WBA title.

“We have nothing set yet. But I want to go back to 140 lbs. for my next fight as I didn’t feel comfortable against Alexander. I am still a world champion and want to defend my belt but especially I want to redeem myself after such a lackluster performance,” Maidana explained.

“I had a phone conversation with Eric Gomez of Golden Boy Promotions and we’ll talk again with him and Richard (Schaafer) in the next few days in order to see what the possibilities there are for Marcos. There are a few great fights out there in the super lightweight division. You have Danny Garcia, Michael Katsidis, Humberto Soto, Lucas Matthysse...all of them would be great matchups for Marcos,” Maidana’s advisor Sebastian Contursi said.