Superfight Preview: Maccarinelli vs. Haye

While the pairing has just been announced for early March with no venue yet determined, the mere mention of a showdown between David Haye and Enzo Maccarinelli is enough to get serious fans of the sport all wound up.

London based Haye and Welshman Maccarinelli went from British champion hopefuls to genuine world titlists in 2007 on the strength of fine performances that saw the pair sweep aside the old guard of the cruiserweight divisions.

Maccarinelli, 28-1 (21), was the first to rack up world class victory by retaining his WBO belt via an outstanding boxing performance over former WBC Champ Wayne Braithwaite in July at the International Arena in Cardiff.

The star turn of Haye, 20-1 (19), was perhaps a higher quality win as the Bermondsey slugger traveled to the Paris backyard of reigning WBC/WBA Champion Jean Marc Mormeck and belted out the Frenchman in seven brutal rounds.

But none of that will matter when the bell rings on March 8 in what is sure to be a massive and packed venue.

Both cruisers have pure dynamite in each glove with Haye having the edge in handspeed and Maccarinelli the advantage in stamina, combining for what is sure to be a torrid slugfest for as long as it lasts.

Haye and Maccarinelli have long been accused of being chinny bangers in the past but past wobbles can be put down to temple shots more than anything else, something any fighter is susceptible to.

Haye walked through tremendous flush shots from Mormeck and although was canvassed in the fourth, "The Haymaker" got back up and punished the champion for the next three rounds. Maccarinelli likewise passed the punch test against the heavy-handed Braithwaite.

No doubt each man will try and finish the other from the opening bell and without question, this has Fight of the Year written all over it.

Let's hope it comes off as fans, particularly in Britain, have been waiting for this one for a long time now.