The delay while they found the light switch at the National Ice Rink held up Enzo Maccarinelli longer than South African cruiserweight champion Earl Morais in Cardiff on Saturday night. The WBU cruiserweight champion from Swansea completed his second defence by blitzing his challenger within 90 seconds, a display that left promoter Frank Warren purring with satisfaction.
"He's got such power - he's one of the hardest punchers in the world - and such great boxing ability that he doesn't care who he fights," said Warren.
"(WBO cruiserweight champion) Johnny Nelson will be a great fight and it will happen. It won't be the next fight for Enzo, but we're looking at next year.
"Enzo's been a dramatic find this year and is going to go on to big things. He's got what the fans like and what I like.
"He will be fighting on 21 February in Cardiff when Joe (Calzaghe) makes the title defence he had to pull out of in December.
 Warren says Haye could not live with Maccarinelli |
"It's not a (US TV network) Showtime fight, but we're committed to that date." Maccarinelli's power - and slightly suspect chin - is such that he is yet to find an opponent to take him past four rounds, but Warren would have no qualms about matching him with Britain's other fast-rising cruiserweight, David Haye.
"They (Haye's camp) could have that fight in a heartbeat - and there'd only be one winner," said Warren.
"David Haye is a nice prospect, but he has a lot of weaknesses and has a lot of learning to do.
"He needs to get in with the likes of (Maccarinelli victims) Bruce Scott and Andrei Kiarsten."
 |  My power can be transferred to the very highest level |
Maccarinelli himself is delighted with the way his career is progressing and plans to take just a week off for Christmas before returning to training. "I trained 10 hard weeks for the Morais fight and did about 60 rounds sparring," said the Italian-Welshman.
"I train for 12-round wars, but when you see the opportunity you're not going to miss out.
"I've shown that I can take people out with either hand and I've got full confidence that my power can be transferred to the very highest level.
"I'm perfectly happy with the way that Frank Warren and my trainer Charlie Pearson are directing my career.
"I only hope next year can be as good as this one."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
