Johhny Nelson: I'll break him mentally.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 19 Jan 2006, 13:13

Nelson taunts rival as he plays mind games

Sheffield Today UK -

SHEFFIELD'S WBO World Cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson clashed with Enzo Maccarinelli's trainer after taunting his rival at a press conference ahead of their unification fight.

Nelson, who will face WBU title-holder Maccarinelli at Manchester's MEN Arena on March 4, insists he has the psychological edge over his 25-year-old opponent.
"I will break him mentally before he even gets in the ring," said Nelson. "He's got to stick to his game plan and stay focused because if I get into his head, the game's over. If you can control a man's brain as well as his body when you're boxing him, he's your boy. The night when me and Enzo box, he'll be my boy."
Trainer Charlie Pearson responded to the jibes, telling Nelson: "You've got to be joking. It's a young man against a man who is 39 years of age.

"The only chance you'd have had of beating Enzo was if you had taken him about a year or so down the line. You won't go past the fourth round." Nelson continued the verbal sparring with Pearson, saying: "Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just telling you what's going to happen.

"I'm the most successful defensive fighter in England for quite a while, but I can also knock them out as well. Enzo is a good knockout artist but that's it."
Welshman Maccarinelli, who has lost just once in 23 fights, said: "I've been waiting for this fight for a long time and I can't wait."

states · Post by **states** » 19 Jan 2006, 13:22

I can't remember the last time I said this about a fight involving Nelson, but I'm actually looking forward to this.

Obviously, you have to fancy Johnny to outbox Enzo, especially with the corpses he's been fighting. But Johnny has to get old at some point..... And maybe, just maybe Maccarinelli can force him into his shell. I guess we'll also find out whether Enzo's punch is for real or not as well.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jan 2006, 14:22

I have a feeling this is going to be the night when Nelson gets old.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jan 2006, 14:45

This is what I've said all along, but as the fight gets closer, I just get the feeling that Enzo will be able to produce a performance that Nelson won't live with.

I kind of hope I am wrong.

yiddo14 · Post by **yiddo14** » 20 Jan 2006, 04:25

enzo might seem like a nice guy,but the bottom line is take away his punch and he is distinctly average.he does'nt even desrve this title shot to begin with.....who has he beat? people seem to forget to mention that he has a questionable chin...

numpty · Post by **numpty** » 20 Jan 2006, 06:40

Cantatore had Nelson in trouble with a couple of shots that I wouldn't exactly call 'bombs' All it takes is one handy shot from Enzo and it will be curtains for the Entertainer...

I'm still leaning towards a Nelson stoppage though.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 20 Jan 2006, 07:15

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I have a feeling this is going to be the night when Nelson gets old.

At last, we agree!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jan 2006, 07:25

It's not the first time we've agreed, it's just your too much of an objectionable bastard to admit it usually.

I think it's more a case of what Nelson won't have that what Macaranelli has though. Two years ago, I would have been very confident that Nelson would have battered him. Now I think that at some point Macca lands a big one, and that he won't let Nelson off the hook.

Macca has got good handspeed for a puncher, and though he can be hit, his array of shots is pretty decent.

The best way i think for Nelson to win, would be to try and hurt Macca early.

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 20 Jan 2006, 07:33

I can see it being a terminally dull fight with JN doing his usual impression of a clamshell and EM whaling away on the outside without the nouce to prize open Nelson's defence which is always good.

For all the talk and for all EM's ability to bang, Nelson will decide what kind of fight it is which will be a really grim 'run and hide " affair which he will win by a UD

Slapsie

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 20 Jan 2006, 07:38

Very pedantic and shitty, but is this actually for the WBU title as well? This "unification" billing is a bit worrying.

Also, have I got it into my head totally wrong, or is this Nelson's last fight win lose or draw?

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 20 Jan 2006, 07:38

I have to say that I'm feeling that this might be the night that age catches up with Nelson, those punches that shook him in his last fight didn't look that hard, and he was hanging on.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 20 Jan 2006, 07:45

Not sure if it's Nelson's last fight or not. It no doubt depends what happens on the night.
If he wins, and Haye steps up with a big money offer, Johnny will be hard pressed to turn it down. Then again, Haye looks an ever bigger hitter than the Welshman, so maybe not.

I can well imagine how cautious Nelson is gonna be with a big hitter like Enzo in front of him - he'll be staying out of range and frustrating Macca for a 7 or 8 rounds, then I can see Enzo walking into one and getting stopped late - or outpointed.

The type of fights they've been feeding Enzo are going to count against him with Nelson.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 20 Jan 2006, 07:46

When Enzo has been chasing people around recently he isn't accustomed to them hitting him back and I think a lot depends on how he reacts to this, Enzo is going to be wide open for Jonny who def has the power to hurt him when he wants to.

I can see Enzo landing a big one on Jonny at some stage but I feel Nelson picking his shots can wear down Enzo so that a late KO is unlikely. I think the Cantadore fight will have done Nelson the world of good and lessens the chance of Enzo catching him cold which would have been his best bet

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 20 Jan 2006, 07:52

I agree with numpty, Nelson's punch resistance has to be questionable at his age and against Cantatore he was all at sea from an innocuous looking shot. Obviously the smart money goes on Nelson but one shot on the chin from Macarinelli and it could be over. Vice versa of course Macarinelli doesn't have the best of chins. If he does beat 'The Entertainer' and Nelson retires then Enzo should be knighted for services to boxing. :P

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 20 Jan 2006, 08:06

Enzo has to start quick try and make Nelson wear himself out, in most of his recent fights Nelson has been able to control the pace of the fight, remember he was pretty much outworked by Guillermo Jones who forced the fight.

I don't mind who wins really, I've liked Nelson , he has had some very bad nights, but also had some very impressive wins and knockouts on his record.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jan 2006, 08:16

Guillermo Jones is a very good fighter. He's currently very highly ranked and rightly so. He's only lost once at Cruiserweight to cunningham.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 20 Jan 2006, 08:17

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Guillermo Jones is a very good fighter. He's currently very highly ranked and rightly so. He's only lost once at Cruiserweight to cunningham.

And he got shafted there!

He was awful vs Nelson, he won (definately) but it was definately like Danny Williams "winning" over Audley Harrison... He won, but looked poor in doing so.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jan 2006, 08:20

Yes, but how many people look good against Nelson, he could make Angelina Jolie look awful....

Jones has some good wins of late, look at his record since then, pretty impressive stuff.

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 20 Jan 2006, 09:38

I'd like to see Haye get a shot at the winner.

Zhuge · Post by **Zhuge** » 20 Jan 2006, 13:43

Loftgroov wrote:I'd like to see Haye get a shot at the winner.

I'd rather see the winner in against Bell

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 20 Jan 2006, 14:02

Zhuge wrote:
Loftgroov wrote:I'd like to see Haye get a shot at the winner.
I'd rather see the winner in against Bell

apparently Nelson made some kind of offer after Bell KO'd Mormeck, but said Bell was asking for "silly money". (not that Nelson makes for a big money fight. seems the bigest fight around is a Bell-Moprmeck rematch, as a genuine rivalry can be built up). would be nice to see Nelson try & unify, but he has a great fight ahead of him in Enzo & another, Haye.

Bell's up to his eyeballs in mandatory defenses. Not only Cunningham & G Jones, but the winner between Felix Cora & Dale Brown

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 20 Jan 2006, 14:22

Wouldnt we all, best bill would be enzo v david and my money would have to be on david haye

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 20 Jan 2006, 14:51

I think 25 v 39 is the big factor here - We cant judge Nelson by what he could do in the past but by what he can as a man months off 40 - Maybe Enzo hasnt got class and maybe he hasnt fought any top names but he has the stamina of youth and Nelson will get very tired trying to dodge him - It wont be a quick finish, Nelson is too good for that but I reckon an Enzo bomb will come around 7 or 8 - If the old man can stay the distance he will win on points - Actually they are good friends, forget the pre fight hype, and although Nelson will go out to win, if Enzo does beat him he will be glad it was Enzo and not anyone else - He could then retire and help coach Enzo, teaching him about good defence - He will need it if Haye is still in the division

Johhny Nelson: I'll break him mentally.

Johhny Nelson: I'll break him mentally.

Macarinelli v Nelson