Boxing: Maccarinelli predicts brutal battle

Jan 8 2008 by Phil Blanche, Western Mail

ENZO MACCARINELLI has predicted his showdown with David Haye will be the “12 most brutal rounds seen in British boxing” – if it lasts that long.

An early night is expected at the O2 Arena in London on March 8 when the rivals, both 27, meet in a cruiserweight unification clash that will determine who rules the division.

It is a mouth-watering contest between two of the sport’s most explosive punchers and Welshman Maccarinelli, who holds the WBO belt, promises it will exceed expectations.

“We’re two boys who fight the same way – we like to take the other guys out,” he said yesterday as the two fighters went head-to-head for the first time.

“Everyone says it will be an early finish but if it isn’t then it will be the 12 most brutal rounds seen in British boxing, and that’s a fact.

“If I was a fan, this would be the fight I would want to see. You’ve got two fighters with the same style who will want to rip the other’s head off.

“I’m going to train as hard as I’ve ever done and David will do the same. We’re going to clash in the centre of that ring.”

Haye confirmed his status, at least in the eyes of many ring pundits, as the world’s number one cruiserweight when he climbed off the canvas to dispatch respected Frenchman Jean Marc Mormeck in the seventh round.

That November win in Paris, Haye’s 20th in a 21-fight career that includes 19 knockouts, secured him the WBC and WBA titles that will also be on the line at the O2 Arena.

Maccarinelli has completed 21 of his 28 victories inside the distance and Haye admits he is facing a formidable opponent.

“We are two aggressive guys – look at our knockout percentages, they’re ridiculous,” he said.

“As soon as the bell went against Mormeck, it was a brawl and that’s what I expect against Enzo. But Enzo will be fitter, faster, stronger and punch harder than Mormeck.

“People have been constantly saying to me, ‘when are you going to fight Maccarinelli?’, and now the fight’s on I’m happy, and most importantly the fans are happy.

“It’s not about money, I want the undisputed title. I was looking at heavyweight and had a fight with [former world champion] Hasim Rahman lined up.

“But I said to [manager and trainer] Adam Booth over Christmas,‘ do what you can to make the Enzo fight’.

Haye, from Bermondsey, has found it notoriously difficult to make the 14st 4lb cruiserweight limit and declared after dethroning Mormeck that he was finished in the division.

But he insists his change of heart was not motivated by money – some reports state he will pocket close to six figures from the clash – and he is confident he will make the weight.

“After beating Mormeck, I went straight back into training to ensure my weight didn’t go too high.

“That paid off because, if I’d had a good Christmas, it would have been difficult to make the weight.

“It’s a small sacrifice for a few months given the bigger picture. I’ve dedicated myself to this and my weight is great.”

The fight, which is expected to be a 20,000 sell-out, will be screened by Setanta and Showtime and will start between 1.0-1.30am to accommodate American viewers.

“We’ve got the two biggest punchers in boxing, and I’m talking about world boxing,” said promoter Frank Warren.

“We’ve had more website hits over this fight in one day – 1.4 million – than any other fight, including any Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton bouts I’ve done.

“This is the biggest since Benn-Eubank, without a doubt. We’re going to see something very special.”

Around 42,000 fight fans saw the Benn-Eubank rematch, which took place at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that WBA light-welterweight champion Gavin Rees will not defend his belt on the undercard against Andreas Kotelnik.

Instead, the bout will take place in Cardiff, with a date and venue yet to be decided.

Cwmbran-based middleweight Gary Lockett and Newbridge light-middleweight Bradley Pryce could also get world title shots “within the next six months” according to Warren.

As a mandatory challenger Lockett could face WBO and WBC champion Kelly Pavlik, although that is dependent on the American’s defence against Jermain Taylor on February 16.