no MorE sHaDoW
BoxinG for BiG Mac
Enzo Macarinelli was a shadow of To do that Maccarinelli has to re-establish “I have been called the former world
his normal self in losing the most himself at cruiserweight, regain a world title champion, I want the title back as a world
important fight of his career, but now and then look to follow Haye in stepping up to champion and I will get it.”
he is back in full in full colour and heavyweight.
looking for redemption. There is always plenty of politics in boxing,
The Englishman is hoping to follow in the especially when it comes to facing such a
It was the biggest moment of his boxing life, footsteps of Evander Holyfield in moving to the dangerous opponent as Maccarinelli, however
the time to walk the walk as well as talking heavyweight division and claiming a world title. he is confident that his manager Frank Warren
the talk, but he fell flat on his face – literally- can get him back on the world title trail sooner
suffering a second round knockout when he The Welshman is having to get used to a diet of rather than later.
put his cruiserweight world title on the line in hearing how he failed to reach the mark when
a unification fight against David Haye. faced with his biggest test so far, however at “I am still highly ranked in a lot of the
least he has experience in bouncing back. organisations, Don King (the American
It had been a tough fight to predict for most promoter) has a couple of the champions and
pundits, rated by many as the top All-British Right at the beginning of his career, my manager Frank Warren is good friends with
contest since the days of Benn and Eubank. Maccarinelli was already tipped for the top him, if I can pick one belt up then I can go for
Instead Londoner Haye cantered through it and earned TV coverage of his fight against unification,” he said.
against a drained-looking Maccarinelli. Lincoln’s Lee Swaby. The hype was soon
deflated when Swaby won with a knockout in “I am not interested in just having one belt, I
Big Mac made the weight with plenty to spare the third round. want all of them, then I want to step up and
and put in a display that was certainly off- hopefully get another fight with David Haye
colour. Swansea City fan Maccarinelli recovered from again.
that and worked his way up to the WBO title,
However the Swansea fighter makes no though facing Haye was considered another “As long as I get my chance I will take it.”
excuses, but vows to make up for the step up in class from his previous opponents in
disappointment. Haye has stepped up to four defences of that belt. Whatever the ups and downs of a boxing
heavyweight and Maccarinelli has some career, Maccarinelli remains an inpiring
rebuilding to do to earn a re-match. “It is a long road back for me at the moment, character and a key part of Swansea’s sporting
but I am as fit as a fiddle, I’m raring to go,” he resurgence.
That process starts this month, it does not said.
matter to the Welshman who it is against after He showed he still understands his roots
spending the last few months watching his “People are writing me off, my back is against by giving this interview while promoting the
critics and doubters having a field day. the wall – it is up to me to prove them wrong Gower Bike Ride and helping to raise money
and that starts soon. for the British Heart Foundation, because a
“I’m like a caged animal at the moment,” admits friend’s son has had a heart transplant.
the 27-year-old. “It is probably not a good time to face me at
the moment. He trains in Gwent with Joe Calzaghe, under
“The David Haye fight would have made me the watchful eye of Calzaghe Senior – another
one of the major world champions in boxing “I let myself down badly that night, but Enzo. The inspiration that provides is obvious.
if I had won, now I’m looking to bounce back everyone is doubting me and when I have a
from that. point to prove I am a very dangerous man and “You probably wonder why Joe has been
God help the next person who steps in the ring champion for so long until you see him train,”
“I had a few problems in the week of the fight with me. explains Maccarinelli.
and made a few mistakes on the night, but take
nothing away from him because he was the “I have bounced back before and I am going to “He is someone I really look up to and can
better man on the night. do it again. Those belts are rightfully mine and learn so much from.”
within 12 months I am going to get them – that
“I still do not believe he is the better man is my aim. Maccarinelli is looking to put those lessons into
overall and hopefully we can fight again so I can practice as he aims to step up from shadow
prove it.” boxing and return to his usual technicolour
displays.
sportingwales
issue3twothousand&eight
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