Enzo Maccarinelli has revealed his secret weapon ahead of his interim WBO World Cruiserweight title challenge - a dozen beer barrels. But unfortunately for opponent Ola Afolabi, the Welshman hasnt been downing them in training, merely using them to improve his strength and conditioning. Balancing the half full kegs above his ahead has helped to increase his core muscle power, as has beating car tyres over and over again with a sledgehammer. It was a technique that Big Macc used before his last fight, a two-round demolition of heavyweight Matthew Ellis. And now he is hoping it will help him to victory over highly dangerous Afolabi at the M.E.N Arena on the big Amir Khan-Marco Antonio Barrera card in Manchester on March 14. Ive tried lifting weights before but its not really my kind of thing, said 28-year-old Maccarinelli, who is 29-2 (22). So when a pal of mine suggested something a bit different I jumped at the chance. Its a bit tempting to crack open one of the barrels after a hard days training, but Ill leave that until after the fight. Im desperate to get in the ring and take out all my frustrations on Afolabi. 2008 was a bit of a disaster after I lost to David Haye and then couldnt win back my old WBO title. But 2009 is going to be my time. I hear that Afolabi is a bit of a nightmare and very dangerous, but thats just what I want. I want to face the best and beat the best, so as far as Im concerned bring on the 14th. I am going to unleash hell once I get between those ropes.
I'm not too sure about him talking Afolabi up in the last two sentences. Hardly a risk when you are a top fighter in your division.
Me too. Enzo did look better physically for a cruiserweight in his last fight. And he performed with real intensity and desire, even though Ellis was not up to it. This guy is supposed to be a capable operator, especially defensively from what I've read so hopefully he'll give Enzo a test.
agreed, the problem for enzo was he had an odd body shape but he looked more evened out last time out
Ellis made him look quick as hell mind. And didn't offer anything to test Enzo's defence. He did look strong, he did seem to be punching hard to the body and seemed very intense.
I can lift a 4-pack of Fosters above my head for over 30 seconds. Enzo has enough about him to still be a threat in the cruiserweight division. Heard a few good things about Afolabi so the fight may be very interesting.
I think he was bound to be intense after the embarrassing loss to Haye and a nine month layoff. I wish him well in any case, hopefully he will look to face the best rather than hiding behind the WBO title for the forseeable future.
Afolabi is the guy who derailed the Eric Fields hype train. Seems like a capable operator anyway, but I agree that in his last fight Enzo looked better than he ever had!
