By James Slater – Big-punching Enzo Maccarinelli, the former WBO cruiserweight champion, says he is feeling like his old self ahead of this Saturday night’s showdown with the undefeated and highly touted Alexander Frenkel. The exciting Welshman will clash with the Ukrainian on the exciting “Magnificent Seven” bill being promoted by Frank Warren in Birmingham (and available on Sky Sports Box Office), and the cruiserweight clash, for Macca’s European title, might be one of the best of the large number of top bouts taking place..
Maccarineli, who turned his spell of bad form around with that impressive 1st-round KO of Alexander Kotlobay in Moscow earlier this year, has been sparring with British heavyweight champ Derek Chisora, and both men feel “Big Macc” is back to his best, ready to rule the world at 200-pounds.
“My head’s right and that spells danger for all the cruiserweights out there,” Maccarinelli told BBC. “Obviously the four world champions are the main aim, but whoever Frank [Warren] puts in front of me I’ll fight, I’m one of the few fighters out there who never ducks anyone.”
Enzo, now aged 30 and 32-4(25) as a pro, has indeed met some big and formidable names in his time; the problem may be the fact that he lost to three of them (David Haye, Ola Afolabi and Denis Lebedev), with all three losses coming in quite rapid succession. The fight against the 22-0(17) Frenkel is an absolutely must-win fight for Maccarinelli. And the older man by five years is relishing the battle ahead.
“I’ve heard lots of stories about how Frenkel’s going to come over here and enjoy the sightseeing, “Enzo said. “If that’s what he’s got in mind then great. I’m not going to run or hide from him – we’ll meet in the centre of the ring and I’ll swing him out of there.”
For the record, Chisora, who faces Sam Sexton in a rematch on Saturday’s big card, also says he is sure Maccarineli will win. The fight is the acid test for the unbeaten but somewhat untested Frenkel, and if he can snatch the European title from Maccarinelli, he will have scored an important win. Frenkel is a very confident fighter himself, but he has rarely boxed outside of Germany (where he is based), and he has never faced a puncher like Maccarinelli (a shot Kelvin “Concrete” Davis doesn’t count).
Who will rise to the occasion in this crucial fight for both men? I have a feeling Frenkel will shock Maccarinelli and win late on.