Maccarinelli Hires Lockett as Calzaghe Dispute Rages On

By Phil D. Jay

Enzo Maccarinelli has joined forces with former world title challenger and fellow Welshman Gary Lockett on a temporary basis as regular trainer Enzo Calzaghe continues his dispute with the British Board of Boxing Control.

Calzaghe was banned from Maccarinelli’s corner for his recent fight with Shane McPhilbin after being told that he did not possess the required safety certificates and is unlikely to be re-licensed in the near future.

That has forced Maccarinelli to look elsewhere for a coach as he prepares to give McPhilbin a rematch this summer in Wolverhampton and Lockett seems to fit the bill for the former world cruiserweight champion.

"Gary is a former stablemate and a good friend," Maccarinelli told The South Wales Argus.

"I need a trainer and though we are not calling it a permanent arrangement, I’ve enjoyed working with Gary so far.

"It’s also been nice being back in the gym with Bradley (Pryce) and Gavin (Rees) and we’ve been working on a few things."

Lockett has worked with Gavin Rees successfully in the past and will provide ‘Big Macc’ with the necessary encouragement that was lacking in his first battle with McPhilbin, when Maccarinelli took the British crown.

Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net