By James Slater – Tonight, at The Excel Arena in London, former WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli made an impressive return to the ring following his loss to David Haye. Utterly destroying late sub Matthew Ellis at heavyweight – a debut in the weight class for the Welshman – the 28-year-old was lethal to the body. Decking the 34-year-old twice in the 1st round, and finishing him off at 1 minute and 28-seconds of the 2nd, all Maccarinelli’s success came from body work. Enzo, who weighed just 195 pounds, improved to 29-2(22). Ellis, who tipped in at 204, fell to 20-6-1(9).
Macca came out fast, no doubt in an angry mood after what has happened to him in the last few days, what with opponent after opponent being forced to pull out of a fight with him, and immediately went to Ellis’ midsection. Looking in absolutely magnificent physical condition (never has Enzo looked so ripped) the Welshman was also fast, accurate and bursting with power. Only a few seconds in Ellis, from Blackpool, was down from some wicked body work. Bravely beating the count, Ellis was soon sent reeling into the ropes, at which time a count may well have been deemed necessary by ref Dave Parris.
The action continued, as one-sided as it was, and the brave 34-year-old was downed for a second time – again by a body shot, this time a powerful left hand. Up at 8, somehow Ellis made it to the end of the round. He was under yet more pressure in the closing seconds of a torrid three minutes, but the referee gave Enzo a warning to keep the punches up just before the bell. A huge round for the former cruiserweight champ – one that could even have been scored 10-6 on an observer’s card.
The end came at the half way stage of the 2nd. Jabbing well to the head in the early going of the round, Maccarinelli then dropped back down to the midsection. A final, hard left hand almost folded Ellis in half and Parris waved the fight off without a count. There were no complaints from anyone.
Having now bounced back from the heartbreaking loss to Haye, 28-year-old Enzo can now look ahead to regaining his old world title. Word from promoter Frank Warren later said the postponed Jonathon Banks clash will take place next year. Judging from tonight’s excellent showing by Enzo (albeit against a journeyman), the WBO strap will be back in Wales soon!