Q & A with Enzo Maccarinelli
by Anson Wainwright
European Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Maccarinelli 32-4(25) will look to make the first defence of his title against unbeaten Ukrainian Alexander Frenkel on the bumper 18 September show in Birmingham, England. Back in 2006 Maccarinelli was a young world champion with an entertaining style he would make 4 successful defence’s of the WBO strap before losing it in a bragging rights unification shootout with David Haye. It seemed to send his career into a tailspin when he lost two in a row in a bad 2009. While many fighters would opt to retire not Maccarinelli he decided against getting a day job, rededicated himself going back to basics. After two feel your way back wins both in the first round he was left with a decision to fight in Prizefighter for more money, against weaker opposition or fight for the vacant European crown which though more prestigious would be in Russia against Alexander Kotlobay. After deliberating it with promoter Frank Warren, Maccarinelli decided no guts no glory going for the jugular heading to Russia where he demolished Kotlobay in 135 seconds of the opening round. Maccarinelli hopes to get an impressive victory over Frenkel that would propel him into a muted Cruiserweight Super 6. Here’s what Big Macc had to say ahead of the fight.
Hello Enzo, welcome to 15rounds.com
Breaking down Haye vs. Klitschko
By Danny Nolan
Last month via a popular social networking site, WBO, IBF, RING and IBO Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko issued a challenge to his WBA counterpart David Haye. The pair were due to fight last year, but Haye pulled out of the fight due to a back injury. Haye would later enter talks with Wladimir’s older brother and holder of the WBC title Vitali, but pulled out or talks to fight the then WBA champion Nikolai Valuev. Haye would go on to earn a close decision against in Nürnberg, Germany.
The video message in which he accused Haye of ducking him and his brother, Wladimir thundered “David, you’ve bitched out on fighting both Klitschko brothers twice already and now is the time to make it happen.” He went on to say “On behalf of the boxing fans around the world, I am officially calling you out to fight me, you can’t run away from me forever and you need to follow through with this fight to get respect. I’m ready, what are you waiting for?” Shortly after the video message from Wladimir, Haye confirmed that trainer and manager Adam Booth is set for negotiations with the Brothers, who are based in Germany. Haye revealed “After a meeting on Thursday I will know more, But until then, I’ll leave Adam to it. I’m relaxing and enjoying myself now.” However he did not specify which brother he would face.
In his last outing Haye (24-1 22KO’s) stopped the tough American two time WBA title holder John Ruiz in the 9th round. Dropping him in the 1st, 5thand 6th rounds. Haye nicknamed the Hayemaker for his punching power has only had three fights at heavyweight stopping gatekeeper Monte Barrett in five rounds. Followed by a fight with the seven foot giant Nikolai Valuev where he captured the WBA world title. Before his step up to heavyweight, Haye was the undisputed cruiserweight champion. Scoring a 7th round TKO over Jean Marc Mormeck in 2007 to capture the WBA and WBC cruiserweight titles. Four months later he went on to destroy the WBO title holder Enzo Maccarinelli in two lop sided rounds. The only blip on the Londoners record came against the tough Carl Thompson (who holds two victories over Chris Eubank) back in 2004. After stopping Haye in the 5th round, Thompson retired twelve months later.
Wladimir (54-3 48KO’s) has three losses on his record the last one coming in 2004 a KO against Lamon Brewster For the vacant WBO title. Strangely enough all three of his losses were stoppage losses. The others being a 2nd round TKO against Corrie Sanders and an 11th round TKO way back in 1998 to journeyman Ross Puritty. Since the 2004 loss to Brewster, Wlad has notched up a twelve fight winning streak earning him the WBO, IBF, Ring and IBO titles. His most recent victories coming against Eddie Chambers, Ruslan Chagaev, Hasim Rahman, Tony Thompson, Sultan Ibragimov, and a rematch against his last conqueror Lamon Brewster, who he retired in the 6th round. Wladimir is widely regarded as the man to beat at heavyweight closely followed by his older brother Vitali.
The eldest of the Klitschko’s, WBC king Vitali (39-2 37KO’s) had his last outing against Kevin Johnson in December 2009, winning a wide unanimous decision. A pretty rare thing for Vitali, who sports the highest KO ratio of any heavyweight champion in history currently standing at 90.2%. Other notable victories have come against the tough Chris Arreola (who retired in round 10.) Britain’s Danny Williams (TKO
who knocked out Mike Tyson in 2004 and Herbie Hyde (KO 2) for the WBO title in 1999(his first world title) His only two losses have come in the form of stoppage losses against Chris Byrd (RTD 9) for his WBO belt. Bryd was later out boxed over twelve rounds by Wladimir. In 2003 Vitali suffered his last loss against the then WBC and IBO champion, the legendary Lennox Lewis. The fight was stopped in the 6th round due to a nasty cut over Klitschko’s eye. Vitali has since claimed Lewis promised a rematch, but he retired straight after the fight. Vitali was ahead 58-56 on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage. Following the loss to Lewis, Vitali notched up three more wins before entering a four year retirement. Coming back in 2008 to retire Samuel Peter in the 8th to recapture his WBC crown. Since 2008 he has embarked on a four fight winning streak, his next fight coming against former European champion Albert Sosnowski. Vitali has never been down in his pro career and never received a standing count.
It is still undecided which Brother Haye will be facing yet, but one thing is for certain, there is no love lost between the brothers and Haye. Last year Haye wore a t-shirt depicting him holding the severed heads of the pair. Wladimir and Vitali found it very disrespectful and were both highly offended. In response the brothers threatened Haye with the now infamous “pizza face,” promising to batter him as long as they possibly could. With both sides apparently desperate to fight, the trio and the fans could Finally get what they are asking for. The Heavyweight division could also finally get the excitement and fireworks it’s been crying out for since the retirements of fighters such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazer or your Lennox Lewis’s and Mike Tyson’s. The question is when it’s all said and done, who will be the last man standing and the number one heavyweight in the world?
Haye stops Ruiz to defend WBA Heavyweight Title
David Haye (24-1, 22 KOs) made a successful first defence of his WBA
Heavyweight Title when he stopped John Ruiz (44-9, 30 KOs) in the ninth
round of their clash at Manchester´s MEN Arena. Fighting in front of a
boisterous sell-out crowd of 20.000 fans, the 29-year-old knocked down
his opponent four times, including twice in the first round, to clinch a
spectacular victory. He was in full control throughout the entire bout,
constantly punishing Ruiz with his trademark power punches. When Haye
unloaded another barrage of heavy shots after 2:01 in the ninth round,
Ruiz´ corner threw the towel. “I was over the moon,” Haye said
afterwards. “I am really happy with my performance. I felt was really
sharp. There was a 20,000 capacity here with everyone screaming the
‘Hayemaker’ and I really enjoyed it. With performances like that I’ll
keep the fans behind me. I loved the whole occasion. I want to keep
pleasing my fans and I will fight anybody they want me to fight.”
Just like his fighter, coach/manager Adam Booth enjoyed a very special
evening at the MEN Arena. “David has got a good boxing brain and he gave
an entertaining fight in a homecoming,” he said. “There are still some
things he can improve and we will be working hard on that. But he put on
a good show tonight.” Asked about Haye´s next opponent, Booth said: “We
don´t yet know what the immediate future holds. We will take a few days
off, get a rest and then sit down with our partners from Sauerland Event
to discuss the options.”
Chris Meyer, General Manager of Sauerland Event, believes that Haye has
a golden future ahead. “It was a fantastic night of boxing,” Meyer said.
“It was an electrifying atmosphere and David put on an entertaining
fight. Ruiz is a tough guy and kept marching forward, but David simply
had too much power for him. The fans all over the world love to see
David fight, he is very entertaining. Just like Adam said, we will now
carefully discuss the future. There are several options. It will be a
very interesting time.”
Weights from Manchester
Here are the weights from Manchester ahead of WBA Heavyweight Champion David Haye´s first title defence against John Ruiz.
WBA Heavyweight Title:
David Haye (Champion) – 222 lbs (100,7 kg / 15st 12lbs)
John Ruiz (Challenger) – 231 lbs (104,8 kg / 16st 7lbs)
JOHN RUIZ QUOTES FROM QUESTIONS ASKED AT TODAY’S MEDIA WORKOUT IN MANCHESTER
Regarding Haye’s win vs. Nicolai Valuev: “I was surprised he (David Haye) got a decision in Germany. Luck was on his side. In congratulate him. He did what he had to do and got the win.”
On Haye’s popularity in the US: “It’s still in the beginning. His name is spreading around. He needs to face somebody who’s been in the heavyweight division and that’s me. He still isn’t well known in the United States.”
On comparing Haye to Evander Holyfield: “Holyfield’s a legend. I can’t compare them today. Every fight is difficult because everybody comes to win. That’s what makes boxing special.”
On changes since he’s been had Miguel Diaz as his head trainer and criticisms: “We’re still here and hopefully this time around we’ll get a win. You’re seeing more of the Ruiz from the past – boxing and punching, not holding. How many guys can say they’ve fought and won the two world heavyweight championships.”
On winning the third world title with a victory against Haye and being mentioned with Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield. “It is going to work this time. No matter what they say, they can’t take it away from me.”
On Haye’s talking: “He can talk all he wants but he knows he’s in a tough fight.”
On an American winning the world heavyweight title: “I was born in the United States and my family is Puerto Rican. I’m a Puerto Rican-American. I’ve accomplished a lot during my career. I am the first Hispanic World Heavyweight Champion, but I’m an American and I’m bringing the belt back home.”
On watching tapes of Haye: “I don’t focus on the other fighter, I focus on myself. He’s going to prepare himself and use the style he believes will win the fight.”
On his experience: “Experience plays an important part but so does youth. We’ll see what comes out on top. I have a new team — trainers Miguel Diaz and Richie Sandoval, and a new promoter, Golden Boy — but there are still some people who’ve been part of the team for a long time. I’m at peace, blessed with my family, and I’ve never been in tune with boxing like this during my career.”
On fighting in England: “I’ve fought here six times (6-0). These fans put favoritism behind them and root for a good fight. I’ve fought everybody in the world, never avoiding anybody, and I’m very proud of that.
I’ve traveled the world and boxing has been a savior for me.”
John “The Quietman”Ruiz Training Camp Notes
LAS VEGAS (Mar. 23, 2010) – Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz has been working hard in his Las Vegas training camp since mid-January in preparation for his April 3 showdown against new WBA World Champion David “Hayemaker” Haye at MEN Arena in Manchester, England.
WBA No. 1 contender Ruiz (44-8-1, 30 KOs), the first and only heavyweight World Champion of Latino heritage, will be fighting in his 12th world title fight. In 2001, Ruiz dropped future Hall of Famer and defending WBA champ Evander Holyfield en route to a title win by 12-round decision in his history-making performance.
Ruiz captured the WBA crown for the second time on Dec. 13, 2003, easily winning a 12-round decision (118-110, 116-112, 115-114) against former World Champion Hasim Rahman for the WBA Interim title, which soon became the outright championship.
During this training camp, Ruiz has been sparring with fighters that resemble the quick, hard-punching Haye. “Everything has been great throughout training camp,” Ruiz reported. “This camp will be the longest I’ve ever trained for a fight. I took a little time-off after my last fight (Nov. 7 vs. Adnan Serin – WTKO7 – in Germany), started running and exercising right after that, and then I went right back into the gym. I’m going to be ready April 3rd for Haye.”
In the Corner…..
Prior to the Serin fight, Miguel Diaz took over as Ruiz’ head trainer against Serin, adding former World Champion Richie Sandoval as an assistant. “We’ve created a special relationship that’s very important for a fighter and trainer,” Diaz explained. “Fighters are smart and they soon know who is telling them the truth or BSing them. John didn’t respond to everything I said right away. Now, if I tell him to jump off the second floor and, he may wonder why but he’ll do it.
“He’s doing fantastic. I don’t think I’ve invented anything. There’s nothing really new to John, just things we’ve brought back from his past, when he was an amateur and his early pro career. People who are seeing him now that knew him back then are saying it’s so good to see his old jab. They tell me he looks like the old John. We didn’t really change him; just brought back the old him and added a few things – bobbing and weaving and coming off the ropes throwing punches, putting his shoulder behind his punch. Things like that. We’re going to win.”
Strength & Conditioning…
Ruiz’ strength-and-conditioning coach, Keith McGrath (Fitness Principles in Boston), has been working with John for the past 17 years. He believes Ruiz has never been in better condition for a fight than he is right now for Haye.
“There are several reasons for his great conditioning,” McGrath said. “He’s back training year-round and he’s never abused himself. John lives a good lifestyle and he’s watching what he eats. He called me the day after his last fight asking for a training program. You can’t treat a 38 year old body like it’s 28. We can’t push like 10 years ago, so what we’ve been doing is maximizing our time together, and allowing for (body) recovery.”
Go on line to www.johnthequietmanruiz.com or www.goldenboypromotions.com for more information about John Ruiz or follow Golden Boy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.
DAVID HAYE IS THE ONE & ONLY WBA HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
DESPITE REPORTS, NO INTERIM HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
TO BE SANCTIONED BY THE WBA
LOS ANGELES, November 23 – Despite an issued statement from Don King Productions and various erroneous media reports, Golden Boy Promotions, the United States promoter of World Boxing Association (WBA) Heavyweight World Champion David “The Hayemaker” Haye, has received assurances directly from the WBA that there will be no sanctioning of an interim WBA Heavyweight Championship fight and that Haye will remain the only Heavyweight World Champion recognized by the sanctioning body.
“We have complete confidence that the WBA will keep their word and not sanction an interim Heavyweight World Title bout,” said President of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar de la Hoya. “They have assured us that David will remain the ONLY WBA Heavyweight World Champion, a title which he looks forward to proudly defending for the first time in the early part of 2010.”
Haye defeated Nikolai Valuev on November 7 to win the WBA Heavyweight Crown and will make his first title defense against number one ranked contender John Ruiz in early 2010.
For more information on Haye and Golden Boy Promotions, please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com.
Sauerland comments on Valuev – Haye
Team Sauerland believes there was nothing wrong with picking David Haye
as an opponent for Nikolai Valuev. The Russian Giant lost his WBA
Heavyweight Title on November 7 when the British challenger clinched a
majority decision in front of a sell-out crowd of 8,000 fans in
Nuremberg. The fight also drew a TV market share of more than 40 percent
in Germany. “After negotiations with Vitali Klitschko had fallen through
because he would not get back to us, we were looking for a new opponent
for Niko,” Team Sauerland General Manager Chris Meyer said. “After
Chagaev got beaten, Valuev had to fight Ruiz in a mandatory defence, but
Niko had already beaten him twice. This bout wasn’t marketable at all.
That is why we considered a showdown with up-and-coming David Haye the
far better option. All parties, and that includes Niko, his coach and
our partner Don King, agreed to the bout as there was no real
alternative. As the split decision indicates, it was a very close fight.
We expected Niko to dominate late in the fight, and had he won the final
two rounds, he would still be the champion. But David Haye put on a
great performance and left the ring as the winner. The contracts do
guarantee Niko a rematch and we are sure the outcome will be different
when the two meet again.”
ADAMEK CALLS OUT HAYE
During the past three weeks, two Cruiserweight Champions have made news with impressive wins in the heavyweight division. Last Saturday in Germany, David Haye of England won the WBA Heavyweight title by defeating Russian giant Nikolai Valuev. Two weeks earlier, Ring Cruiserweight Champion Tomasz Adamek dethroned Polish Legend Andrew Golota in Lodz, Poland with a crushing 5th round TKO in a heavyweight fight that was billed as the “Polish Fight of the Century.”
The juxtaposition of these two wins raises the intriguing possibility that there will be much more action in the recently moribund heavyweight division, as faster, more mobile 200 pounders move up to successfully challenge their supersized, less athletic counterparts. It also begs the question, “When will Adamek and Haye fight each other?”
That question most certainly occurred to Adamek as he watched a tape of the Haye fight earlier this week. The power punching Pole did not hesitate to call out the new champion: “David, if you want to fight against somebody who punches back at your face—not the empty air—you know where to find me,” Adamek declared. “You call yourself the best heavyweight fighter in the world after running scared for the whole fight with Nikolai Valuev? It’s not even funny.”
After criticizing Haye for an exhibition “worthy of the London Marathon trophy” vs. Valuev, Adamek went on to say, “Talking is cheap. People don’t care how big you are during the press conferences. They want to see a man in the ring. I never say too much before my fights and my opponents are not saying a lot afterwards because they are knocked down. You say you want to be a people’s champion. If so, fight me. That’s what the people want.”
There’s no doubt that Haye-Adamek would be a “pick-em” fight, Kathy Duva of Main Events, Adamek’s co-promoter, said. “It’s been a very long time since the boxing public has seen the kind of action in a heavyweight title fight that they enjoyed before the advent of the Super Heavyweights who dominate the division these days.” She continued, “When a heavyweight title fight is exciting, there is always a ‘smaller’ guy in the ring pressing the action. Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Jack Dempsey and, of course, Evander Holyfield, to name a few, all fought in their primes under 215 pounds. The next great heavyweight will come from the Cruiserweight division and we believe that he will be Tomasz Adamek.”
Adamek’s fight with Golota was viewed by more than 13 million people in Poland, in addition to the 17,000 raucous fans who packed the Atlas Arena in Lodz, to see the fight in person. Adamek crushed Golota, knocking him down twice and winning with a 5th round TKO vs. the four-time heavyweight title contender.
As a cruiserweight, Adamek won his last seven consecutive fights, five by KO. The Jersey City transplant won the IBF World Cruiserweight title last December in a blistering fight with Philadelphia’s Steve Cunningham, and successfully defended it twice in 2009 at Newark’s Prudential Center. Last year, Adamek was awarded the Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Belt, recognizing him as their Undisputed World Cruiserweight Champion.
Adamek will return to the Prudential Center on Saturday, February 6th in a 12-round heavyweight fight. Details will be announced next week.
CONGRATULATIONS TO DAVID HAYE ON WINNING THE HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE THIS PAST SATURDAY!
“HAYEMAKER” BECOMES GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS’
NEWEST HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
FOLLOWING WIN OVER NIKOLAI VALUEV
LOS ANGELES, November 9 – It was a historic night in the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung in Nuremberg, Germany Saturday night, as London’s David “Hayemaker” Haye became the first British-born Heavyweight World Champion since Lennox Lewis and joined Evander Holyfield as the only former Cruiserweight World Champions to own a heavyweight title. Haye defeated seven-foot giant Nikolai Valuev via majority decision to claim the WBA Heavyweight World Title becoming Golden Boy Promotions’ newest Heavyweight World Champion.
“We’re very proud of David and what he accomplished Saturday night,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “The odds were stacked against him, but he kept his focus, stuck to his game plan and put that title belt around his waist. This is a new era for the heavyweight division and I can’t wait to see what mountains David will climb next.”
“David looked tremendous during his 12-round battle with Valuev,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “I’m really impressed with his skills inside of the ring and his charisma outside of the ring. We are going to do everything we can to get David the big fights so he can unify the heavyweight division and put it back on the boxing map.”
The charismatic Haye (23-1, 21 KO’s) has been one of the UK’s most popular boxing figures thanks to his exciting style, punching power, charisma and quick wit. He won the Cruiserweight World Title in just his 21st professional fight when he knocked out Jean-Marc Mormeck in seven rounds in 2007, and then quickly unified three of the cruiserweight titles in his next fight by stopping Enzo Maccarinelli in two rounds. He began his assault on the heavyweight division in 2008 and on Saturday night, the six-foot three inch, 218-pound Haye gave up nearly a foot in height and 98 pounds in weight to Russia’s Valuev, but with a disciplined and effective fight plan, the 29-year-old earned the WBA Heavyweight World Title by scores of 116-112, 116-112 and 114-114.
The Golden Boy Promotions team congratulates David Haye, it’s newest Heavyweight World Champion and will announce future plans for Haye shortly.
