By Terence Dooley

Enzo Maccarinelli’s world came apart in September when he found himself on the wrong end of a sickening seventh round KO to Alexander Frenkel at the LG Arena, Birmingham.  ‘Big Mac’ lost his EBU title and the chance of a potential world title rematch with Denis Lebedev.  The brutal KO, made that much worse by referee Erkki Meronen allowing a clearly dazed Maccarinelli to come out for more, led many to question whether Enzo should ever return to the ring.

“I was in control of the fight and got caught with a big shot,” admitted the former WBO and WBU cruiserweight titlist.  “I’m a boxer and we know that these things happen.  I was fighting my game plan and got caught.

“I’m disappointed but got a lot of support from Frank [Warren] and the people around me.  I’m still in love with boxing.  I watched the fight back, saw how in control I was and saw that it was my own mistake that led me to lose the fight.”

Enzo, though, was quick to credit his opponent, who came to the UK with a 22-0 (17) slate, ceding experience and home advantage to the defending champion. 

He said: “This is the sport, you know, don’t get me wrong, Frenkel is a good fighter and a good fellow but the knockout was made to look a lot worse than it was because the referee didn’t stop it after the first knockdown.  That second knockdown became what people remembered.”

Meronen was heavily criticized for allowing Enzo to come out for more; Maccarinelli had taken a huge shot and was clearly out on his feet, the definition of a defenseless fighter.  Still, Enzo refused to criticise or condemn Erkki.

“I don’t know, even if the ref had had a long look at me and asked if I was Ok then I’d have still told him I was fit to fight on because I’m a fighter and that’s what you do,” mused Maccarinelli, “so it would probably have still have happened anyway, but it probably should have been stopped after the first knockdown.

“To be honest, I was finding it too easy to hit him, he caught me in the third and fourth rounds but I still out-boxing him, then I made the silly mistake of leaving myself open and got caught.”

He added: “Frenkel actually came to me after the fight and told me he was sorry, I said, “Don’t be sorry, I was trying to do the same thing to you!”  That is what we’re there for.  Reports that I was unsteady on my feet later on that night are a lot of bollocks.  I left under my own steam, went back to the hotel and drove back to Swansea – I was Ok, disappointed but Ok.”

Frank Warren was quick to offer Enzo a lifeline should he decided to call it a day, telling his charge that they could form a formidable partnership in bringing big time boxing back to Wales, with Enzo helping to build and promote shows in the area.  For now, though, Enzo is still mulling over his future.

“Frank has been very loyal towards me, I feel loyal towards him and I consider him to be more than a manager and promoter, he is a good friend as well who phones me all the time and offers me encouragement and support – I can phone Frank anytime,” stressed Maccarinelli, who believes that his dedication to the sport has not gone unnoticed.

“To have Frank say what he did is a big thing and I think he appreciates the way I’ve fought for him and that I’m a very honest fighter and person.  I’m a boxer, I love the sport and I’ll always be involved.”

People have often inquired as to whether Enzo is done and dusted with fighting, the normally gregarious Welshman was succinct and to the point when pressed on this matter, “No comment!” he said when asked if we will see him box again.

Whatever the future for Enzo, British fans will long hold him in their memory: he always gave it his all, always carried himself with dignity and, should he decide to never fight again, he’s left behind an exciting body of work.

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