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Haye v Maccarinelli Betting: Heavy handed pugilists set for a knockout bout

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Alex Steedman predicts fireworks when two British fighters get down to business on March 8th

A venue with a once tarnished reputation is somewhat fittingly the site for a sensational domestic scrap, the latest in a sequence of captivating boxing matches restoring the reputation of the sport in the UK.

The magnificent O2 Arena cost nearly as much as the PR wreckage that was 'The Dome' and while it would be churlish to crow at last summer's debut offering of Bon Jovi, compared to Haye V Maccarinelli, the ticket sellers were only half way there. Indeed, had New Labour's Millennium Experience included an exhibition bout between these two ham fisted gladiators, punters would have cued beyond the Watford Gap and covered the wasted millions on gate receipts alone. This is a cruiserweight clash that is in all but name, a heavyweight encounter.

Not since George Foreman bludgeoned a path through the big men back in the 70s has destruction been so attractive. Not since Benn and Eubank postured violently across our screens in the 90s has there been a domestic match-up to compare. Comic book Thwacks were designed with these guys in mind. Get your toilet breaks out of the way, leave the kettle for now, this is guaranteed edge of the seat, X-certificate stuff.

In truth, unlike Eubank/Benn, there is no bitter enmity between Haye and Maccarinelli, just the stark reality that one's reputation and credibility stands in the way of the other. And when you hit as hard as this pair well, bragging isn't quite necessary. The Hayemaker's 19 KO wins in 20, compared to Enzo's paltry 21 in 28, suggest a power advantage to the Londoner but speed and weight are perhaps the key issues.

Haye's gift of thunder has been complimented with a speed, rare in the big guys and perhaps part of the reason for his low slung holsters. The Englishman often relies on reaction but in a gun fight against a quick draw like Maccarinelli that might prove a flaw. Enzo is the one cruiser out there to match and maybe better Haye for fistic zip. Add to that the Hayemaker's much reported travails with the 200lb weight limit and the scales tip towards Macca.

Last April, at 217lbs, Haye dipped his toes among the heavyweights - his certain future after this one - and blitzed the world ranked Tomasz Bonin in the 1st. The same left jab, hideously quick straight right that despatched Alexander Gurov in one round two years ago and a likely threat to the left hook-favouring Maccarinelli. But Goliath David needed every day of the seven months in between to shift weight for his outstanding seventh round TKO win over then recognised No. 1 and WBA/WBC champion Jean Marc Mormeck in Paris in November.

Punch resistance and strength (or lack of) through weight are closely connected and Haye, by his own admission, was legless when clipped by Mormeck in the fourth round of their fight.
Maccarinelli hits harder than Mormeck, is significantly faster, younger, hungrier and improving quickly under the guidance of Enzo Calzaghe, who he joined in 2006. Father of the great Joe, Enzo is a snarling taskmaster who takes small man syndrome to a new level. But his is a keen boxing brain, he the Welsh valley orchestrator of an unlikely band of world champions.

In stark contrast, David Haye will prepare at his usual North Cyprus base under the studious eye of modern man Adam Booth, his trainer and manager. Kylie's one time health and fitness consultant, all designer specs and forward thinking, Booth has been with Haye for more than a decade, through the amateurs and a World Championship Silver to his current position as World No. 1.

It's not quite Ivan Drago against Rocky Balboa, there are no bad guys here. Neither is it an open and shut case. Haye deserves to be a slight favourite but Maccarinelli's speed might just expose his ongoing battle with the scales. It could end anytime but if it goes beyond six it's Macca's fight.

One way or another, what with the heavy handed Haye and the sharp shooting Maccarinelli, it may be a Dome-like misappropriation of funds for promoter Frank Warren to appoint ringside judges at all.

Selections:
Maccarinelli to win
Value - Maccarinelli R6, R7, R9

This article was written on February 13th

* The fight will be screened by Setanta on the evening and early hours of March 8/9