by James Slater – There is not long to go now until former WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli climbs into the ring for his first meaningful fight since losing quickly and badly to David Haye. Reportedly looking in excellent shape in the gym, the big-punching Welshman says he can’t wait to get it on with London-born Ola Afolabi in their interim WBO 200-pound title fight clash..
However, though he says he is not looking past the largely unknown talents of 28-year-old Afolabi, Maccarinelli, also 28, has spoken about his ultimate plans for the future. Enzo, in speaking to The Sun newspaper, made it clear there are three things he craves the most right now: a fight with Herbie Hide, a fight with Tomasz Adamek, and finally, the title of undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world around his waist.
Maccarinelli began by speaking about “The Dancing Destroyer,” Herbie Hide – a man he admits he cannot stand.
“There’s only one way a fight with Hide would go as I’m not very keen on the man,” Maccarinelli said. “He’s one of the only people in boxing that I really don’t like. He’s got no respect for anyone whatsoever. He’s said a few things about me in the past – and about everyone else for that matter.”
Enzo, clearly, would love to shut Hide up, but first he must get past Afolabi. Maccarinelli spoke about the plan he has pencilled in for after the Afolabi fight – assuming he wins of course.
“The plan is that I fight Afolabi before facing Victor Ramirez for the full WBO title, in April or May,” Enzo said. “Then I’ll look for the big unification fight.”
Hide faces Matt Godfrey in a final WBC eliminator in May, and if he beats Godfrey Hide may well go on to become the WBC 200-pound king – making a fight with him all the more irresistible to Maccarinelli.
Enzo let off more steam while speaking abut the 37-year-old former WBO heavyweight champ.
“Before my last fight against Matthew Ellis in December, Hide shouted his mouth off and called me everything,” Maccarinelli said. “I think he even went as far as calling me a lanky-looking ostrich. If he was an oil painting himself, I wouldn’t mind! A fight between me and him is definitely one for the British fans. I’m sure there are a lot of people who would love to see me shut him up – although a lot of people would probably like to see him shut me up!”
Providing he suffers no ring-rust on Saturday, or has fits with Afolabi’s style and loses (a genuine possibility), Maccarinelli sees himself one day attempting to unify the cruiserweight division. That, of course, means a fight with the teak-tough Pole, Tomasz Adamek.
“My dream is still to unify the cruiserweight division,” Enzo said. “Luckily enough we have Adamek now who is the frontrunner and a lot of people regard him as number one. There’s something to aim for and certainly if things go to plan before the end of the year I’ll fight Adamek. It’s certainly a big fight and one I would relish.”
The 13-1-3(5) Afolabi sure will ruin a whole lot of plans and dreams if he manages to defeat Maccarinelli in four day’s time!