Enzo Maccarinelli believes his cruiserweight showdown with David Haye will be one of the most brutal fights ever seen in British boxing.
Welshman predicting brutal tear-up with Haye in crusierweight clash.
Enzo Maccarinelli believes his cruiserweight showdown with David Haye will be one of the most brutal fights ever seen in British boxing.
The two big-hitting cruiserweight champions will fight it out in a unification bout at London's O2 Arena on March 8.
Although Haye had wanted to step up to heavyweight after dethroning WBC and WBA champion Jean Marc Mormeck in his own backyard in Paris, he has taken up the challenge of facing WBO champ Maccarinelli.
Now when the Welshman and Bermondsey's Haye collide in March, Maccarinelli is predicting a brutal contest between two huge punchers.
Not many are predicting it will go the full 12 rounds such is the two styles on display, but for as long as it lasts Maccarinelli says it will be pure entertainment.
"We're two boys who fight the same way - we like to take the other guys out," said Maccarinelli.
"Everyone says it will be an early finish but if it isn't then it will be the 12 most brutal rounds seen in British boxing, and that's a fact."
Fighting styles
"If I was a fan, this would be the fight I would want to see. You've got two fighters with the same style who will want to rip the other's head off.
"I'm going to train as hard as I've ever done and David will do the same. We're going to clash in the centre of that ring."
Haye hit the deck early against Mormeck but got up off the floor to beat the Frenchman and confirmed his number one cruiserweight tag.
Maccarinelli will offer Haye an even more difficult assignment that Mormeck though - according to 'The Haymaker' himself.
"We are two aggressive guys - look at our knockout percentages, they're ridiculous," he said.
"As soon as the bell went against Mormeck, it was a brawl and that's what I expect against Enzo.
"But Enzo will be fitter, faster, stronger and punch harder than Mormeck."
Weight worry
Haye's struggles to make the 14 stones 4lbs cruiserweight limit had prompted his decision to step up a division, but he says he was keen to take on Maccarinelli as fans were desperate to see the fight.
"My decision wasn't about money," Haye insisted. "I won the titles and I'm undisputed number one in the division.
"I was looking at the heavyweights and I had Hasim Rahman lined up but I said to my manager Adam Booth do what you can to make the Enzo fight.
"After beating Mormeck, I went straight back into training to ensure my weight didn't go too high.
"That paid off because, if I'd had a good Christmas, it would have been difficult to make the weight.
"It's a small sacrifice for a few months given the bigger picture. I've dedicated myself to this and my weight is great."
