From secondsout - Hobson now rated by the WBO eh? Just shows the HUGE influence Hennessey sports have in the world of boxing - well done Mick
Hobson can't wait for Maccarinelli brawl
By Ant Evans: British and Commonwealth Champion Mark Hobson has accepted the challenge of facing Welsh power bomber Enzo Maccarinelli in what is expected to be a interim WBO title fight on the big MEN Arena card on March 4 in Manchester. Maccarinelli was due to challenge champion Johnny Nelson but found himself looking for an opponent after Nelson was forced out with knee trouble.
And Huddersfield's Hobson has confirmed he will be in the opposing corner, telling SecondsOut: "There are a couple of things to be ironed out, politics wise, but it's a great opportunity, a great fight, good money and fantastic exposure on ITV on the undercard of Calzaghe v Lacy. I really think I can win this one in great style. No disrespect to Johnny, but me against Enzo is a better fight for the fans because you know what you are getting with me just like with Enzo, straight at you boxing."
Hobson was training for a marking time fight on a Hennessey Sports card this Friday when manager Chris Aston called him up Monday to tell him of promoter allegedly's offer. Hobson accepted immediately - and with great excitement - despite not having fought since December of 2004, when he outpointed Bruce Scott in a defense of his domestic titles.
He said: "I've not been out on the piss and eating pizzas, I've been training. I've been out for 15 months, I know, but in those 15 months I've been in full training to fight David Haye twice. Both times the fight fell through (each was injured) at the last minute but I was still in top shape twice last year and I was already in good shape for Friday and, with two extra weeks, I will be 100% for Enzo.
"And what was Enzo doing last year? Those opponents he was bashing about (Rich LaMontagne, Roman Bugaj and Marco Heinichen) weren't up to much at all. Those sorts of fight won't have helped him any more than me training in the gym."
The 29-year-old Hobson, 24-3-1 (12), respects his Welsh-Italian opponent. "He has a lot going for him," Hobson admitted. "He's young, very strong, hasn't been beaten for six years and can really punch but with respect I don't think he has fought at the level I am at.
"He does hit hard, but I think this is an easier fight for me than David Haye was. David is very, very fast with the right hand and for whatever reason I can be caught on the right side whereas I hardly ever get hit with left hooks and Maccarinelli is a left-hook man. Like I say, he hits hard and I've got to respect that but I can't wait to see look on his face when I take some of his shots and fire right back at him. No-one has really put pressure on his him back since Lee Swaby."
Swaby knocked Maccarinelli senseless inside three rounds in what was the Welshman's fourth pro fight. To be fair to the Swansea sledgehammer, he was a baby at only 20 years old and, as Hobson knows from a similar (but avenged) experience, Swaby can crack a bit.
"I'm not sure about Enzo's chin," Hobson said. "He did get up and beat Bruce Scott (in June 2003) but since then he's not fought anyone, with respect, who tried to fight back. No disrespect, but I am a league or two above the guys he has been fighting over the last few years.
"I really fancy the job and this is exactly the type of opportunity I've wanted for ages. The phonecall about the fight was the best news I've had in ages."
