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“The Battle of Britain”
At a packed O2 Arena in London in the early hours of Sunday morning – in excess of 17,000 fans eagerly awaited the much anticipated fight between England’s David ‘Haymaker’ Haye and Wales’s Enzo ‘Big Mac’ Maccarinelli. Billed as “The Battle of Britain” – this was the contest for the WBO, WBC and WBA Cruiserweight titles. A huge fight for the UK as there would be live coverage in the USA of two British fighters!
David Haye, from London, the WBA and WBC Cruiserweight Champion, enters the ring smiling to the sounds of “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now.” Clearly enjoying the reception, Haye pauses outside the ring to soak-up the atmosphere. Haye looks in fantastic form, revealing a ripped physique.
Enzo Maccarinelli, from Swansea, the WBO Cruiserweight Champion, makes his entrance to lyrics of “I’ll Stand My Ground, Won’t Back Down”. Joe Calzaghe carries the Welsh flag as Maccarinelli almost sprints into the ring.
In the opening seconds of round one, a left hook from Maccarinelli causes Haye to stumble off balance but the first half of the round is cautious as both men suss each other out. Haye, as usual, lets his left arm drop by his side.
A good left hook from Maccarinelli is returned with a great left hook from Haye. In the last half minute, both Haye’s arms have dropped and he leaves himself open – looking for the big shot – he throws a strong right hand punch and then grapples with Maccarinelli.
It’s been a close first round while both fighters settle in, but there‘s a definite air of waiting for the explosion.
Round two and Haye tries for a big swinging right, but it misses its target. With a minute gone – Haye lands a solid right but Maccarinelli takes it well. Haye throws another left followed by a right and Maccarinelli responds with a good body-punch.
Seconds later and another big right hand from Haye bangs right on the nose of the Swansea man and I’m amazed to see he didn’t falter.
With a minute and 13 secs to go, Haye lands a huge right and Maccarinelli’s legs dip as he hangs on to the ropes in the corner. Haye continues the onslaught while Maccarinelli is bent over, trying to protect himself but as he tries to stand upright, Haye lands another right and Maccarinelli goes down to his knees.
Standing up, he strays all over the canvas and Referee John Keane sends him back to the corner to take the count. Maccarinelli tells Keane that he is OK but Keane sees that he is dazed from the shots and calls a halt to the contest with 56 seconds of round two to go. Haye is raised aloft by trainer Adam Booth while blood trickles from his left brow.
Now holding all three belts – Haye is the number one Cruiserweight Champion of the World.
Afterward, Haye admitted that the cut inspired him to push for an early knockout and said he “took a few risks to get Maccarinelli out early. I didn’t know how bad the cut was” and “Make sure you tune in to my heavyweight domination.”
Adam Booth gave credit to Enzo, saying “He didn’t have to take this fight.”
Disappointed, Maccarinelli told Setanta presenters, “I’m disgusted with myself the way I boxed. I made a mistake, I got caught, that’s the way it goes!”
Boxing notables suggested that Maccarinelli should have dropped to one knee when he got hurt, that way he could have taken a moment to recover, but Maccarinelli was commendable when he openly blamed himself for not sticking to the plan and for doing what he’d been told not to do, by trainer Enzo Calzaghe.
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