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Enzo left in the lurch

Maccarinelli to fight journeyman after second withdrawal

Last updated: 5th December 2008

Khan: Bared all

I'm going to get in there and box him a little bit and get back to boxing properly and take my time.

KHAN v FAGAN
WBA International Lightweight title
JUDGEMENT NIGHT
10pm, Saturday, December 6
Live on Sky Box Office & HD
Call 08442 410888 to book!
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Enzo Maccarinelli will fight Blackpool journeyman Mathew Ellis after last minute stand-in Francisco Alvarez failed a medical.

The Puerto Rican had stepped in to challenge for the vacant WBO cruiserweight title after original opponent Johnathan Banks suffered an ankle injury in training, but failed to make the weight by just a quarter of a pound.

Alvarez was given two hours to shed the excess but then failed a medical owing to a high blood pressure reading, leaving promoter Frank Warren to search for a last-ditch replacement.

Ellis, a heavyweight who won a four-round contest two weeks ago, has fought just three times in the last five years and is unlikely to give Maccarinelli much of a workout in a fight with no belts at stake.

"These things happen in boxing," reflected Maccarinelli. "It's been a bad year but I can end it on a high by smashing up a good heavyweight and then look forward to fighting for the WBO world cruiserweight title next year.

Champing at the bit

"First I've got to deal with Ellis, and given the weight I'm going to be giving away it's a dangerous fight.

"To be honest, though, I'd have fought King Kong tomorrow night if it meant stepping back between the ropes. I've been champing at the bit since the Haye fight, and Ellis is going to get it big style."

The Welshman had replaced Nicky Cook as the Judgement Night bill-topper after Stephen Foster Jnr had to withdraw from challenging the WBO super-featherweight champion after a bout of 'flu.

It now leaves Amir Khan heading the night of domestic action on his return to the ring, although he also struggled to make the weight - having to discard his underwear to make the lightweight limit.

After Irishman Oisin Fagan had weighed in at 9st 8.5lbs, Khan was slightly over the limit so, with a towel covering his modesty, had to weigh-in naked, coming in bang on the 9st 9lbs limit this time around.

Khan calm

Khan was not fazed by the weigh-in though, telling Sky Sports News that he was happy with his conditioning after being trained by Freddie Roach.

"It's the best way to stay right on top of the weight - maybe I should have done more practice this morning, but I'm dead on the weight now so that's all that counts," Khan told Sky Sports News.

"It's been a tough training camp and I'm going to fight full of confidence. I've done the hard work in the gym now and it's just about doing it in the ring now.

"It's going to go a few rounds, I want it to go a few rounds. I'm going to get in there and box him a little bit and get back to boxing properly and take my time."

Audley Harrison failed to show up on time for his weigh-in, where Irishman Martin Rogan scaled 16st 8lbs.