David Haye applauds boxing efforts of Maccarinelli and Hobson

Reigning European cruiserweight champion David Haye has praised the heroics displayed by Enzo Maccarinelli and Mark Hobson during Saturday’s (March 4) sizzling domestic showdown – but sent out a chilling message to both should they ever meet the London puncher.

Welshman Maccarinelli survived numerous rocky moments to drop Hobson in the third round, and eventually eek out a hard-earned points decision, in defence of his WBU title. The exciting 12-rounder impressed many, and Haye, despite an intense rivalry with both, can appreciate the entertainment-value.

“I managed to catch the fight on a live Internet stream,” Haye said, whilst in Miami preparing for his EBU title bout with Lasse Johansen on March 24. “I’m glad I made the effort.

“Both guys were a credit to domestic boxing, and showed what British boxing is all about. It was just a shame Showtime, out here in the States, didn’t think the fight was worth picking up or the fighters were worth covering.”

Despite the tremendous ebb-and-flow action Maccarinelli and Hobson provided, Haye feels the excitement of the contest hinged more on the pair’s failings than any noteworthy attributes either possess.

“As good as the fight was, there has to be a few home truths confronted,” the 25-year-old continued. “Two donkeys make a derby, and it definitely had that derby feel on Saturday.

“It was as though Maccarinelli and Hobson were trying to prove who was the tallest fighter out there, at times. They were so upright and easy to hit it was unbelievable. That helped the entertainment of the bout, but it will also prove to be a recipe for a violent knockout defeat if
they don’t change their ways.”

That “violent defeat’ could come at the fists of the current European king, Haye insists.

“I’m totally interested in fighting both of them. Even though Hobson lost on points, I felt he deserved the victory by a couple of rounds. He bossed the fight, and gave it a real good go against the “house’ fighter.

“If a rematch between the pair of them doesn’t happen, I would consider defending my European belt against Hobson in the near future. There’s still that “history’ attached to the fight, and, in pushing Maccarinelli – and in my eyes beating him – Hobson has shown he’s one of the best domestic cruisers.”

Haye added: “A good way of diffusing a lot of the pro-Enzo fans is to take on Hobson and starch him in scintillating fashion. That would be a good yardstick for me, against a guy who is a recognised name now. Even in defeat, Hobson’s reputation has enhanced.”

As for WBU titleholder Maccarinelli, Haye is less hopeful of meeting his man.

“Due to the politics that are a part of boxing, that would be a tougher fight to make,” the 15-1 (15) hitter confessed. “While Enzo keeps bothering with these other “titles’, which are not worth mentioning, he will be a long way from where I’m looking to go.

“However, if it can be made, I will relish it. If Maccarinelli gets nailed and wobbled repeatedly by Hobson – who I’ve sparred with, and know can’t punch his way through a wet Rizla – imagine what my faster, harder, punches would do to him. It wouldn’t be pretty, that’s for sure.

“If I struggled like Enzo did with Hobson, I would be written off as a talent-less fraud with no realistic world-title aspirations.”

Haye concluded by praising the fighting spirit of both. Well, kind of.

“There was great sportsmanship on show,” he said. “It’s just a shame you can’t convert sportsmanship into boxing ability.”

Before Haye can start envisaging the effect of his bombs on the likes of Maccarinelli and Hobson, he must first negate the threat of Danish challenger Johansen at York Hall, Bethnal Green on March 24.

/For tickets to “The Hayemaker Hits London’, call the Box Office on 0871 226 1508, or alternatively, log on to www.maloneypromotions.com to order online./