Maccarinelli vs Ajisafe Eliminator For Tony Bellew's Title

By Phil D. Jay

Enzo Maccarinelli (33-5, 26KOs) will get the chance to fight in an eliminator for a crack at Tony Bellew’s British light-heavyweight title after the British Boxing Board of Control put a contest between him and Bob Ajisafe to purse bids in early February.

The Swansea fighter is already pencilled in to fight on the Nathan Cleverly undercard in Cardiff next month, after which a bout against Ajisafe (9-2, 3KOs) is then set to be negotiated with a view to fighting for Bellew’s title.

Former WBO title challenger Bellew (16-1, 10KOs) may relinquish the Lonsdale Belt by the time Macca gets there, and then then the 31 year-old could meet the winner of Ovill McKenzie vs. Tony Dodson for title in late summer if all goes to plan.

Maccarinelli, who himself held the WBO belt at cruiserweight, would then set his sights on a world title fight with fellow-Welshman and current WBO 175lb champion Nathan Cleverly in late 2012 or early 2013.