Preview: Collision course - Haye v Maccarinelli by Kevin Roberts Mar 7th 2008

The title says it all – the two best cruiserweights, two biggest punchers in the sport, two brits, two less then stellar chins. All the ingredients are there, get set and ready to go for possibly the biggest all British Boxing showdown since Benn and Eubank. This Saturday at the impressive 02 Arena, London David Haye and Enzo Maccarinelli meet in what promises to be an absolute boxing feast of power punching and excitement. In what will be in front of a sell out crowd the victor will go onto greater things, the loser may well be finished in the sport. That's what makes this fight the attraction it is. Haye, fresh from his stunning victory in France last time out when he climbed off the deck to bludgeon the then No. 1 Jean-Marc Mormeck to defeat in seven will be ultra-confident that his superior boxing skills, massive power and perceived better competition will be enough to see of Maccarinelli. Macca for his part will bank on his improved defence under Enzo Calzaghe, his own impressive power and Haye's less than granite chin and stamina to provide his keys to victory. This really is a great fight – trying to predict an outcome is a fight in itself, however here goes! The general consensus is that Haye should have just too much of everything for Enzo, too fast, hits too hard, better boxing skills, more experience etc. Indeed on most boxing forums Maccarinelli in general is passed off as little threat to Haye and many are predicting Haye to win inside three rounds. Indeed, it is not inconceivable that this could happen. We have seen on numerous occasions, Bonin, Gurov, decent European fighters flattened early doors in fights with Haye. It is also worth noting that Haye has worn fighters down in the latter stages of fights, Mormeck, Fragomeni and Johansen are good examples of this proving that Haye is certainly not a one trick pony. Haye as extensive amateur experience to call on as well and it would not be unfair to say in this fight he is the more seasoned campaigner (despite less pro fights) and is a worthy favourite. However, we have seen also on numerous occasions that Haye is vulnerable, floored against Mormeck, wobbled by a super middleweight in Lolenga Mock and ultimately beaten by an ageing Carl Thompson where after dominating Haye was floored and stopped by the Manchester veteran. May see this as a watershed in Haye's career – indeed Haye has gone from strength to strength since that loss and the inevitable quotes of ‘best thing that could have happened yada yada yada' have once again been trotted out in the build up to this fight. It is totally conceivable therefore that a huge puncher like Maccarinelli could well put down and keep down Haye in this fight. Maccarinelli is an interesting fighter, someone who seems to have exploded onto the scene in the last five years after stopping Bruce Scott in a fight where Enzo himself had been floored and on the verge of defeat early on. Since winning the WBO title by stopping teak tough Marcelo Dominguez Enzo has defended his title four times against opponents of varying ability from the hapless Bobby Gunn to an impressive points victory against former world champion Wayne ‘Big Truck' Braithwaite. In this fight Enzo showed he to was no one trick pony and combined power punching with lovely boxing skills to give Braithwaite what was essentially a two fisted beating for 12 rounds. Enzo hits hard, maybe not as hard as Haye but hard enough as mentioned to win this fight. That coupled with the obvious improvement in fitness, defence and all round boxing skills since linking up with Calzaghe make Maccarinelli a very live threat in this match – a threat David Haye would be wise not to ignore. Vulnerability again is a key word in Enzo's make up and like Haye has been floored and stopped in his career. So, what happens here then. One suspects that this although will be good may ultimately be an anti-climax, a bit like pulling the best looking bird and then realising she is thick! (I don't get it - Ed.) Despite the pre-fight bluster from both men there is a healthy respect for each other and this respect may result in the fight being cagey in the first three rounds or so. However, true to form war will break out and I can't see this fight going beyond eight rounds. Looking at everything in perspective you would have to favour Haye, better all round skills, harder puncher. However, don't count Enzo out, there is the Frank Warren factor to consider, Warren is a master at getting the right fight for his man at the right time and Maccarinelli may a weight draining Cruiser step too far for Haye. The argument about competition is sometimes over used also – just because Man Utd beat Newcastle easily every week it does not mean the Geordies are not any good! As mentioned Enzo Calzaghe will have a huge part to play, he aint used to losing. However, Calzaghe can't fight for Maccarinelli once the bell sounds. I suspect that Maccarinelli will have his moments early in the fight and may even floor Haye early. However, I believe Haye at this point to be too fast, too good and I can see him getting up and stopping a tiring Enzo around the seventh round. Great fight on the undercard sees exciting, unbeaten super-feather Kevin Mitchell fight tough, gritty Carl Johanneson over 12 for Johanneson's British title. Both can bang and we may see again like in the main event a real up and downer. The suspicion is that yet again Warren has masterminded his man a fight at exactly the right time. Johanneson of late has been involved in a few wars whereas Mitchell is still comparatively fresh. If Mitchell can get thorough 3 rounds where Johanneson promises to be at his most dangerous then the smart money will be on Mitchell prevailing around six or seven rounds – that's where my money will be going. At this point in time Mitchell is too young, too fast and too good for Johanneson.

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