Enzo Vs Lebedev ***SPOILER***

[Abbo]

http://www.skysports.com/khan/story/0,2 ... 78,00.html

Former cruiserweight world champion Enzo Maccarinelli is on the brink of retirement after a crushing three-round defeat to Denis Lebedev at the MEN Arena on Saturday night.

The Welshman never got into the fight and struggled to land punches against the tricky southpaw from Moscow. It all meant a third defeat in four for the former WBO king and speaking exclusively to Sky Box Office, the Swansea fighter admitted he is unlikely to carry on.

"It looks like it (retirement), to be honest I'm just devastated," he said. "I don't think I've got it anymore. I trained hard but nothing went right for me, I felt a bit gun-shy."

Maccarinelli struggled from the first bell and was punished with an early attack to the body. Certainly the former Russian light-heavyweight champion looked a strange choice of opponent, particularly for a fighter trying to rebuild his career after a heavy defeat.

It soon became clear that Maccarinelli's confidence had taken a pasting in that loss to Ola Afolabi back in March. Every punch seemed to shake him and Lebedev was allowed to march forward and unload shots at will.

As early as the second round Maccarinelli was relying on single shots as he neglected his jab and hoped his power would get him out of trouble. But the Russian simply stepped in and out of range and was rarely troubled.

The end when it came was sooner then expected, but Maccarinelli could have no complaints.

A clean uppercut rocked the Welshman and before he could regain his senses Lebedev pounced unleashing wide punches as Maccarinelli was trapped on the ropes.

One right in particular had the former WBO champion reeling and a merciful Terry O'Connor stepped in to end the contest.

While Maccarinelli's career is now all but over, Lebedeve - also promoted by allegedly - could be on the brink of causing a stir in the not too intimidating cruiserweight division.

[fluxstuff]

Enzo - never especially good, best performances against Dominguez and Braithwaite, beaten comprehensively by the first true world-class performer in his prime he faced and then lost to an unheralded sparring partner and a untested prospect: he's finished. He's not even a gatekeeper going on how he's lost both of those.

I wrote an open letter to him on BoxRec after fighting Afolabi noting how his speech was slurring. Haye has ruined him entirely and hopefully he'll quit rather than get hurt seriously.

[Rocky Balboa]

I think Enzo realises its time for him to retire. After the loss he even stated he thinks he doesn't have it anymore. His punch resistance is not there. I don't think he's ever totally mentally recovered by the manner in which he lost to Haye! Haye made him look ordinary, made the night look easy!

This could be one of the big-upset weekend's & not just in Boxing! Tom Watson, aged 59, is the leader in the Golf, 4 under par. His experience should help him through tomorrow. Damn the odds you would have got for Watson to leading going into the final round would have been enormous, let alone odds for winning the tournament, which he has a legitament chance of doing so!

[WayoftheCass]

well Marvin Hagler topped Thomas Hearns in the 3rd round

Hearns had a didgy chin like Enzo - and a devesating punch like Enzo = fighters can lose to early KO's and still be good

Enzo is just a fighter who either KO's you or gets Ko'd

He could easily still KO good fighters - just a bad night at the office where he got hurt and stopped early....................

Good God. Have a day off mate. Enzo is no Tommy Hearns. Hearns was beaten by MARVIN HAGLER only one of the greatest fighters of all time. Haye aside Enzo has also been sparked out by Ola 'Whats his name' Afolabi, Denis 'I Come In Peace' Lebedev and Lee 'Need I Say More' Swaby!!! The comparison is absurd to say the least.

[teddy007]

well Marvin Hagler topped Thomas Hearns in the 3rd round

Hearns had a didgy chin like Enzo - and a devesating punch like Enzo = fighters can lose to early KO's and still be good

Enzo is just a fighter who either KO's you or gets Ko'd

He could easily still KO good fighters - just a bad night at the office where he got hurt and stopped early....................

Good God. Have a day off mate. Enzo is no Tommy Hearns. Hearns was beaten by MARVIN HAGLER only one of the greatest fighters of all time. Haye aside Enzo has also been sparked out by Ola 'Whats his name' Afolabi, Denis 'I Come In Peace' Lebedev and Lee 'Need I Say More' Swaby!!! The comparison is absurd to say the least.

His obsession is weird, just plain weird.

[BigGar]

That must be it for Enzo now. He's a good bloke and needs to make the right call.

Where's Reeso when you need him?!

[WayoftheCass]

well Marvin Hagler topped Thomas Hearns in the 3rd round

Hearns had a didgy chin like Enzo - and a devesating punch like Enzo = fighters can lose to early KO's and still be good

Enzo is just a fighter who either KO's you or gets Ko'd

He could easily still KO good fighters - just a bad night at the office where he got hurt and stopped early....................

Good God. Have a day off mate. Enzo is no Tommy Hearns. Hearns was beaten by MARVIN HAGLER only one of the greatest fighters of all time. Haye aside Enzo has also been sparked out by Ola 'Whats his name' Afolabi, Denis 'I Come In Peace' Lebedev and Lee 'Need I Say More' Swaby!!! The comparison is absurd to say the least.

His obsession is weird, just plain weird.

I take it this is isn't his first delusional post when its comes to Macca?!!!!

[Autobarn]

enzo's eye looked a mess. is this lebedev any good?

[WayoftheCass]

enzo's eye looked a mess. is this lebedev any good?

Its a bit scandalous they never showed the Brock or Enzo fight. That would have been the perfect exposure for Brock. Its a bit offensive to him that he's just wrapped up a Londsdale belt with another quick win but gets zero coverage compared to guys having their 3rd fight. Don't get me wrong I know why they are doing it but if Brock is as good as he's made out to be then surely Warren has to value him more?
Okay Enzo has now assumed the opponent role but surely his name still commanded enough respect to get more than a 10 second soundbite? The little footage shown though appeared to suggest he got his ass handed to him. It looked like he'd been 12 rounds with Sonny Liston and not 3 with the latest Russian hope off the conveyor belt. Another poster said he'd seen Lebedev on youtube and that he looked tasty. FWarren apparently promotes him to.
Kevin Mitchell stopped his man in 8. He never even got a mention. He'll be disappointed with that.

[fluxstuff]

by all accounts Enzo took a ferocious beating. He intimated he may now retire. for his health, i hope he does.

[alexpaterson]

He should definetly retire now he has nothing left anymore this was his last chance i think

[WayoftheCass]

by all accounts Enzo took a ferocious beating. He intimated he may now retire. for his health, i hope he does.

His right eye was swollen shut and his face was splattered with blood in the brief few seconds Sky showed of it. He also looked in shock. Its just over. That's all there is about it. :(

[hayemakerben]

ABSOLUTELY Criminal that this was not shown..

What we had this evening was NOT an undercard, Always get value with Big Mac, win or lose.. And to tease us with what looked like a war at the end (for those that did not see, his face was an f'ing state) is just ridiculas, 3 decent up and coming brits is all when and good, so please add them as added extras, but Mac and Brook fights should have been shown!!

[TheCobra]

Enzo should defo give up now, nowhere left to go except back to domestic level and the domestic cruiser scene is pretty poor so I doubt he'd be on much money and not be able to get motivated so may as well stop. A half-decent boxer but I never really believed the hype and was glad when Haye ended the hype machine, I think that defeat did damage him a lot but I also think it simply exposed him as not good enough. Too basic, not enough punch variety and not great conditioning were the things I saw as letting him down.

[whicker]

First two rounds were pretty even, third round Lebedev just took over, beating Enzo (who was bloody) round the ring. Afterwards Enzo had an icepack on his face, but man, that was unfortunate.

His sole technique seemed to be to try to fling a massive shot, it just never happened.

[Dioufy]

Saw him in the crowd during one of the fights - eye looked bad then. I guessed he took a beating.

[TheCobra]

Saw him in the crowd during one of the fights - eye looked bad then. I guessed he took a beating.

Me too, I saw him with that eye and how dejected he looked and presumed the worst.

[ra2006]

I just feel absolutely gutted for Enzo. Like many have said on this board he was a europeon level (at best) fighter who was very wel protected and managed. He will retire IMO and can hold his head up high in the knowledge that he has a few pounds in the bank, and that people will refer to him as a former World Champion.

Enjoy your retirement Enzo.

[U.F.O]

Sky box office finished 50 mins early and they showd 10 seconds of highlights of this fight absolute joke.

[whicker]

And to tease us with what looked like a war at the end (for those that did not see, his face was an f'ing state)

To be honest, it was more of a beating than a war. Enzo really wasn't throwing much back at all, Lebedev was just teeing off on him for the finish.

I suppose that the ref could have stopped it sooner, or indeed the corner- I was surpised they didn't.

However, if that had been the case then there might have been some (misplaced) lingering doubts , such as "was it premature" etc, which would have given a flase impression.

[Brute]

It takes a smart fighter to know when he has done enough. Enzo is still young but if the desire is not there anymore it would be smart to stop before he gets badly hurt.

Three losses in his last four fights is not a good look.

[mickey1975]

it went on for at least 30 seconds longer than it should have done.very unlike terry o'connor.it wasnt that lebedev was that good,he looked fairly ordinary,it was just enzo looked like he really didnt want to be in there once he got tagged and simply walked around letting lebedev tee off on him offering nothing back

[leforge]

He should go back to British level.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

I've seen interviews where Enzo says he has had meetings with Dana White about going into UFC


Maybe in his own mind he did have meetings with UFC, sadly in the real world Dana White has never heard of him....

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

He should go back to British level.

ummmm why on earth should he go "back to British level" and earn. say 3 grand a fight when he is already a very wealthy man?



think before you post, please