WBC/WBA boxing world champion David Haye added the WBO title to his collection and left no doubt as to his dominance as the one and only cruiserweight champion of the world with a brutal 2nd round knockout of Enzo Maccarinelli in the early hours of Sunday morning at the O2 Arena in London England, televised live on Showtime in the USA and on Setanta Sports in the UK.
“I walked the walk and I talked the talk,” said Haye. “I knew that I bombed him out as soon as I landed flush. You saw what happens. I know how hard I punch.”
27 year-old Haye 21-1 (20) from London had walked into the arena very slowly, stopping at times to soak up the special atmosphere created by the crowd of over 20,000 fans. In contrast, 27 year-old Maccarinelli 28-2 (21) from Swansea, Wales almost ran to the ring, seemingly determined to get the fight started as soon as possible.
When the ‘Battle of Britain’ finally commenced, Haye in white/silver trunks with red trim and Maccarinelli in black trunks, stood directly in front trying to feint each other. It wasn’t the fast start that had been expected by some, but cheered on by the crowd both boxers began to let their hands go.
Maccarinelli landed the first genuine punch, which sent Haye stumbling ever so briefly, before he regained his balance. It was a cautious first round from both boxers. There were some intense exchanges without any wild flurries. A good left hook from Haye let Maccarinelli have a taste of the Londoners’ power.
Both boxers were missing with their punches early in round 2. They continued to feel each other out, seemingly cautious of the others power. Haye clipped Maccarinelli with a right hand on the end of his chin as the Welshman pulled straight back. He responded with body shots then Haye landed a cracking hook flush on the left side of his jaw.
Manoeuvring him into the corner, Haye came forward and landed his right hand as Maccarinelli went straight back with his chin exposed. Maccarinelli fell down and was only prevented from hitting the canvas by the ropes. If Haye had not attacked immediately in following up, the referee may have ruled a knockdown then and there. But Maccarinelli tried to stand up and Haye was all over him and dropped him to the canvas with another right hand. Maccarinelli was sitting on the canvas stunned with his head out between the ropes. As the referee counted, Maccarinelli regained his feet on wobbly legs and staggered around the ring. He tried to regain his balance in the corner, but referee John Keane grabbed him by the hands, looked into his eyes and stopped the contest at the 2:04 minute mark of round 2.
Maccarinelli immediately protested the stoppage, but his unsteady legs were evidence of how badly he was hurt.
“I have been in training camp solidly for nine months to make cruiserweight,” said Haye. “I’ve got my body into the fittest condition. The feeling that I had in me, I could have went all night like that throwing bombs. Enzo Maccarinelli came in with a good record. He is one of the better fighters out there in the world. I showed exactly what the ‘Hayemaker’ is all about.”
“I am disgusted in myself the way I boxed,” said Maccarinelli. “Taking nothing away from David, he caught me. It was always going to be who landed first. I caught him early on in the first round. He caught me with a shot and I done totally what I have been told not to do. I dropped my hands, put my head up high. He caught me with a right hand. He seen me hurt, I started to recover and he caught me again. I made a mistake and I got caught. There is no shame. I lost to a great champion and that is the way it goes. I trained very hard. The occasion didn’t get to me. I made a mistake. End of story.”
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