Enzo Maccarinelli, the WBO world champion, will fight David Haye, the newly-crowned WBC and WBA world champion, in all-British cruiserweight contest. The face-off between the division's top two British fighters, which will evoke memories of the clashes between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank, will take place on March 8, with the venue yet to be decided.
Swansea's Maccarinelli last fought on the Joe Calzaghe-Mikkel Kessler undercard at the Millennium Stadium in November, stopping Mohamed Azzaoui in the fourth round. Haye, meanwhile, picked himself up from the canvas to stop Jean-Marc Mormeck in the seventh round and claim the WBC and WBA titles in November. Both men responded to the announcement with relish.
"I'm delighted that Haye has finally put pen to paper and the fight is happening," said Maccarinelli. "There is nothing like a big fight between the top two British fighters in the division to get the public excited. I believe that this will rival, if not better the Nigel Benn-Chris Eubank epics. We are both big punchers but I believe that I am the hardest hitter out of the two of us. Once I drop Haye he won't be getting up."
Haye was in similarly combative mood. "I'm glad that politics have been put to one side and that [promoter] Frank Warren and my manager Adam Booth have made the fight happen. I feel that it is my duty as world champion to fight the very best and I guarantee that I will knock out Maccarinelli to convince the few doubters that I am the best cruiserweight that Britain has ever produced."
Both fighters can point to impressive records. Maccarinelli has stopped 21 of his 29 opponents, 16 of them inside the first three rounds, while Haye has halted 19 of his 21 opponents, claiming 14 stoppages inside the first three rounds.
"If there is one fight I would buy a ticket to watch it would be Maccarinelli-Haye," said Warren. "I'm in the business of delivering big fights and this is certainly a real fight for the boxing fans and media and one that they have been clamouring for. It has all the ingredients for a potentially thrilling fight: two big names, both huge punchers, both have been put down but got up to win and plenty of pride at stake."
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/boxing/story/0,,2232878,00.html
Should be a great bout. My money is on Maccarinelli.
Swansea's Maccarinelli last fought on the Joe Calzaghe-Mikkel Kessler undercard at the Millennium Stadium in November, stopping Mohamed Azzaoui in the fourth round. Haye, meanwhile, picked himself up from the canvas to stop Jean-Marc Mormeck in the seventh round and claim the WBC and WBA titles in November. Both men responded to the announcement with relish.
"I'm delighted that Haye has finally put pen to paper and the fight is happening," said Maccarinelli. "There is nothing like a big fight between the top two British fighters in the division to get the public excited. I believe that this will rival, if not better the Nigel Benn-Chris Eubank epics. We are both big punchers but I believe that I am the hardest hitter out of the two of us. Once I drop Haye he won't be getting up."
Haye was in similarly combative mood. "I'm glad that politics have been put to one side and that [promoter] Frank Warren and my manager Adam Booth have made the fight happen. I feel that it is my duty as world champion to fight the very best and I guarantee that I will knock out Maccarinelli to convince the few doubters that I am the best cruiserweight that Britain has ever produced."
Both fighters can point to impressive records. Maccarinelli has stopped 21 of his 29 opponents, 16 of them inside the first three rounds, while Haye has halted 19 of his 21 opponents, claiming 14 stoppages inside the first three rounds.
"If there is one fight I would buy a ticket to watch it would be Maccarinelli-Haye," said Warren. "I'm in the business of delivering big fights and this is certainly a real fight for the boxing fans and media and one that they have been clamouring for. It has all the ingredients for a potentially thrilling fight: two big names, both huge punchers, both have been put down but got up to win and plenty of pride at stake."
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/boxing/story/0,,2232878,00.html
Should be a great bout. My money is on Maccarinelli.