http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7302828.stm ====================================================== Enzo Maccarinelli hopes for a world title shot before the end of the year. Promoter Frank Warren hopes Macca will fight again in June ahead of a title tilt against American Steve Cunningham. The Welshman suffered a major career setback in London when he lost his WBO cruiserweight crown to David Haye in last week's Battle of Britain. "Enzo will fight again in June and hopefully a world title shot maybe against Cunningham before the end of the year," said Warren. Maccarinelli, 27, held the WBO belt for 18 months but lost his title when Londoner Haye added to his WBA and WBC crowns with a second round knock-out of their O2 Arena showdown. Cunningham beat Pole Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in a rematch last May to clinch the IBF title but the fighter from Philadelphia wants to fight Haye for a cruiserweight unification clash. 606: DEBATE Enzo Maccarinelli still has a long career ahead of him RHPWHP Big Macc, though, is desperate for a return to the big time. "Maybe we'll be able to do something with Cunningham," said Warren. "But it is just a matter of time for Enzo now as he'll have to fight his way back into contention. "My advice to him is to fight the ranked guys to move up the rankings. "It all depends on what the future holds for David Haye as he holds three of the four cruiserweight belts. "There is talk of him stepping up to heavyweights and if he vacates the title, it might make it easier for Enzo. "Enzo must fight his way back into position of becoming a number one contender." ====================================================== Cunningham, says Warren. I still think it's the vacant WBO they'll go for...maybe Drozd or Wlodarczyk there.
WBO definitely. Certainly not the WBC - in terms of the WBA it depends on where they rank the respective contenders. I wouldn't want the IBF anyway, its almost as bad as the WBO, in fact probably worse. At least the WBO doesn't seem to pretend that it's not controlled by some promoter, whereas the IBF seem to just pick someone out of nowhere to become No. 1 contender!
Although his loss to Haye was kind of embarassing, Macca is young and can rebound from this loss very quickly. He should be gunning for Wlodarczik, Kraj, BJ Flores, Adamek, Godfrey, all boxers he can beat, for a legit and quick return to the top.
A Cunningham - Enzo fight would be a good watch, but the WBO route is more likely. Id like to see him in a meaningfull comeback fight though.
Sounds like they'll have a ten-round confidence builder against some random guy, and then aim at a title shot by the end of the year.
Despite his loss to Haye, Enzo is a top 5 Cruiserweight. Its just that Haye is head and shoulders above everybody at that weight (and im not a Haye fan!). Enzo is getting flack for taking on the best, there was a time when he would have been praised for wanting to prove himself by fighting the best, but nowadays people just want to rwrite off fighters when they lose as "just a bum" ridiculous.
WBO may be a world title today to the general public, but it's still the "Super Carton Championship" of the world to me.
No way Macca steps in the ring with Cunningham! Macca will fight a hand picked opponent for the WBO belt.
I don't see Enzo fighting anything CLOSE to a live body with some pop....ever again. He'd lose against Cunningham too.
I agree with you. It's just a way of people justifying hating on a fighter no matter what he does. And then they ***** about no big fights getting made. Enzo took his KO loss like a man, and the Haye fight doesn't make him any easier to face for the rest of the division. I'll also go out on a limb and say that Cunningham- Mac would be a better, more competitive matchup than Haye-Cunningham right now. I hope that fight gets made after Mac's tuneup.
I don't think Enzo is afraid of anyone...but I don;t think he's in charge of who he fights either. IMHO that's Warren...and I think Warren will set him up nicely with "okay" fighters til the end of his career. I'd be shocked (but absolutely thrilled) if USS-Macca went down although I'm certain Cunningham wins easily.
