03.03.08 Enzo v Haye overview
by Iain Axon
Hailed as the biggest domestic fight for 20 years, it would be a major surprise if "Bombs Away" didn't live up to expectations on March 8 at London's O2 Arena.
In Enzo Maccarinelli and David Haye, the fight pitches together two of the most explosive punchers not just in Britain, but the world.
That the pair also hold world three titles - Haye is the WBA and WBC cruiserweight champion and Maccarinelli has the WBO strap - only adds spice to what should be a memorable occasion.
And throw in the fact that both 27-year-olds are extremely confident of victory - and pretty much in their prime - and it spells fireworks all the way.
In fact, it's so attractive that not only is it being screened in the UK on Setanta, but it has also been snapped up by Showtime in the States, who will televise it live.
The fight was first discussed more than a year ago, but Haye and promoter Frank Warren were unable to agree terms after Maccarinelli put pen to paper.
It looked dead in the water even when Haye beat Jean Marc Mormeck to lift the WBA and WBC world titles, as the Londoner insisted he could no longer make weight.
But tempted to remain at cruiserweight for one last fight by a career-high purse, he will once more boil his massive frame down to 14'4.
Haye's struggles at the weight are well documented, and hand a massive advantage to Maccarinelli.
Despite being slightly taller, the Welshman has no trouble at all making 14'4, and unlike Haye, has no immediate desire to fight at heavyweight.
Even so, Maccarinelli is an underdog for the fight, best-priced at around 6-4 to become the second unified world champion from South Wales after Joe Calzaghe's WBO/WBA/WBC super-middleweight world title victory over Mikkel Kessler.
Haye is a much shortyer 4-7 on to win the fight, and has arguably mixed in better company.
He beat the division's number one in Mormeck, defeated world-rated Thomas Bonin at heavyweight in a round, and dismissed Alexander Gurov in less than a minute when he landed the European title.
Yet Maccarinelli is no slouch either, with his best win a dominant 12-round decision over Wayne Braithwaite last July. During the near punch-perfect display, he fought at a pace that Haye has yet to match.
The Welshman has also defeated former WBC champion Marcelo Fabian Dominguez (becoming the first man to stop him) and WBO/WBC title challenger Bruce Scott, although the pair were no longer in their prime.
Both boxers are hurtful punchers, with Haye stopping 19 of his 20 victims, and Maccarinelli 21 of 28, and both have gone on the floor - Haye has been down against Lolenga Mock, Carl Thompson and Mormeck, while Maccarinelli was on the canvas against Lee Swaby and Bruce Scott.
That's why it's 9-2 to go the distance, and it's difficult to see either man winning on points, although I'd be surprised if it finished in the first round like some people - Haye included - are predicting.
The longer it goes, the more it favours Maccarinelli, and despite expressing a desire to stand and trade from the opening bell, surely his tactics must be all about boxing with controlled aggression early on and seeing if Haye will tire.
That's what happened when Haye fought Thompson in just his 11th fight, running out of gas in the fifth, but that was some time ago and he has learned much since then. Yet question marks remain over his stamina.
Similarly, Maccarinelli was young and naive when he was knocked out by Swaby in just his fourth professional fight, but has come on leaps and bounds since switching to Enzo Calzaghe's Newbridge camp.
It's a fight that has provoked intense debate as to the outcome ever since it was announced just after Christmas.
A positive case can be made for both men - Haye is the slicker boxer and heavier handed, but Maccarinelli can box at a high pace, has quick hands, is good to the body, and perhaps crucially, doesn't struggle at the weight.
He's also got Calzaghe in his corner, and has been working out of one of the most successful camps in the UK.
I wonder if some of the Joe Calzaghe stardust has rubbed off on Maccarinelli, who will have seen his close friend prepare for - and win - similarly huge fights against Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler.
When two big hitters meet, one punch can make even the most knowledgeable of boxing writers look like a fool.
I've said from the start that in the first four rounds, Haye has got to be the pick, but from then on, the fight swings dramatically towards Maccarinelli. I take the WBO champion to win around the seventh.
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