Nice question and answer piece on big Enzo

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 02 Dec 2003, 14:54

This was in the Telegraph:

My Sport: Enzo Maccarinelli

Earliest sporting memory? My father crushing a glass in his hand out of rage when Cabrini, of Italy, missed a penalty during the 1982 World Cup final. Thankfully, Italy beat Germany 3-1. I was two. There is also a photograph of me in my parents' house punching the bag at about the same age.

Sports watched? I love football - I'm a Manchester United fan - and went up to Old Trafford to see them playing Fiorentina in the Champions League. It was great apart from the fans chanting 'You Italian b******s'. I like rugby league, rugby union, mainly contact sports. But I also take an interest in tennis, snooker, the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games. I'm in charge of the remote control at home. Boxing, for me, is the sport above all others. I'm a big student of the game. I have hundreds of tapes of fights and a good library of boxing books.

Sports played? I played rugby union at school in Swansea, as a flanker. I played football for Plough FC, Brynhyfryd, for the boys' and mens' teams at the age of 14. One team in the morning, the other in the afternoon. But it has always been boxing for me. I did play snooker, tennis, badminton and squash, just to get away from the gym.

Why a life in boxing? My father, Mario Maccarinelli, owns the local gym; my brother, Valentino, was a boxer, and I suppose I didn't have much choice. As a youngster, I was a purple belt in karate, but my brother used to call it 'a girls' sport', which drove me up to the boxing gym three times a week to prove him wrong. I was so immersed in boxing in the end, I had to give up karate - I was disqualified six times for going to the head.

When did you know you wanted to box for a living? Early on. My dad trained me until I was 17, but we are both strong-willed and we didn't work as a team, so I changed trainers. The only time I have ever seen him cry was when I won the junior British title at 12. After that, it was difficult to find opponents for me in Wales, and I ended up boxing 20-year-olds in Italy when I was 14. I turned professional at 17.

How did it feel to be awarded 'Young Boxer of the Year 2003' in the footsteps of some of the greatest fighters this nation has produced? Phenomenal. I didn't even know I was in the running. I was told the week before by Richard Maynard, allegedly's press officer.

Toughest part of your sporting life? The state of mind you have to get yourself into before a fight. You can't afford to show your feelings.

Most memorable sporting moment? Winning the World Boxing Union cruiserweight title in Cardiff in June, beating Bruce Scott. Bar my kids being born, it was the best moment of my life.

Worst sporting moment? My one loss - to Lee Swaby - and it happened in my own back yard in Swansea. It also turned out to be the best moment of my career because it showed me that I couldn't just turn up and win fights automatically.

Sporting heroes? Michael Jordan, for his ability to continue playing at that top level. In boxing, Ali, Arturo Gatti, Rocky Marciano and Mike Tyson in his heyday.

Favourite sporting location? Bethnal Green. What an atmosphere there. And respect for boxing. They don't come to talk or chat, they come to watch a fight, and they know how to read and score a contest.

Sporting event you would pay the most to see? Ali versus Foreman, in Zaire. But there are so many others - Arturo Gatti versus Ivan Robinson, four years ago, in New Jersey; Hagler vesus Hearns, for the world middleweight title.

And to miss? Cricket. I just don't get it. I like sportspeople to be athletic, and I wouldn't say cricketers are the greatest athletes in the world. They don't look it, anyway.

Question asked most often by the public? They normally go back to the time I lost, or ask how I'll cope in longer fights, because I haven't been past four rounds yet.

And the answer? Other fighters didn't go past four rounds in their first 20 fights. When the time comes, I'll be ready.

Greatest change you would like to see in the running of boxing? More money, or at least greater funding, given to the amateur side of the sport because there is a role for boxing in society.

How is boxing covered in the media? The big fights get covered, but I'd like to see more. It does get portrayed at times as a brutal, violent sport but boxing has great values.

Sporting maxim? No sweat, no glory.

Who would you most like to invite to dinner - and why? Muhammad Ali. It would be wonderful to ask him about his life.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 02 Dec 2003, 16:54

Good interview he sounds like a good man. I saw him mixing with the
crowd at Cardiff castle and he was more like a fan than a boxer on the bill.
I've spent alot of time in Porthcawl, next to Swansea, and I remember reading about him in the local papers - he got the very Big build-up, some of the press were saying he was a cert for world glory, then came the Swaby disaster....
He's going to be vunerable going in with the big hitters, but he seems to hit hard enough himself to be in with a chance with most.

A fight with Haye could build into a big showdown late next year. Fireworks guaranteed!

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 02 Dec 2003, 17:01

MightyWarrior wrote:Good interview he sounds like a good man. I saw him mixing with the
crowd at Cardiff castle and he was more like a fan than a boxer on the bill.
I've spent alot of time in Porthcawl, next to Swansea, and I remember reading about him in the local papers - he got the very Big build-up, some of the press were saying he was a cert for world glory, then came the Swaby disaster....
He's going to be vunerable going in with the big hitters, but he seems to hit hard enough himself to be in with a chance with most.

A fight with Haye could build into a big showdown late next year. Fireworks guaranteed!

The more I look at that fight he had with Swaby, the more I think it was a bad match. Enzo had boxed three fights and was still a teenager. Swaby was a hardened pro who in his previous two fights had gone 10 rounds with Kelly Oliver and upset another unbeaten fighter, Mark Levy.
There was no disgrace in losing to him in hindsight.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 02 Dec 2003, 17:07

bennie wrote:
MightyWarrior wrote:Good interview he sounds like a good man. I saw him mixing with the
crowd at Cardiff castle and he was more like a fan than a boxer on the bill.
I've spent alot of time in Porthcawl, next to Swansea, and I remember reading about him in the local papers - he got the very Big build-up, some of the press were saying he was a cert for world glory, then came the Swaby disaster....
He's going to be vunerable going in with the big hitters, but he seems to hit hard enough himself to be in with a chance with most.

A fight with Haye could build into a big showdown late next year. Fireworks guaranteed!
The more I look at that fight he had with Swaby, the more I think it was a bad match. Enzo had boxed three fights and was still a teenager. Swaby was a hardened pro who in his previous two fights had gone 10 rounds with Kelly Oliver and upset another unbeaten fighter, Mark Levy.
There was no disgrace in losing to him in hindsight.

Yes it was a harsh match to take that early - I'm sure you remember a similar one made for young prospect Glenn McCrory when he got knocked out by Dave Garside at heavyweight. Had to be a better fighter for it I guess.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 02 Dec 2003, 17:10

BBC Wales screened the match and I have to admit it was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Nothing sinister is meant by that statement, I like Enzo he's seems a nice bloke with the great punch. However, it was hillarious - Colin Jones, the commetator, was hyping him up as a the next Ali just as Swaby landed. He was silenced for pretty much the rest of the programme.

Maccrenelli was dominating proceedings untill the punch mind.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 02 Dec 2003, 17:15

stujones wrote:BBC Wales screened the match and I have to admit it was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Nothing sinister is meant by that statement, I like Enzo he's seems a nice bloke with the great punch. However, it was hillarious - Colin Jones, the commetator, was hyping him up as a the next Ali just as Swaby landed. He was silenced for pretty much the rest of the programme.

Maccrenelli was dominating proceedings untill the punch mind.

Never seen it, I'd love to see a video of it.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 03 Dec 2003, 05:59

nice questions and answers and gotta say I love Enzo for giving respect to York Hall!!!!!!

Lugh · Post by **Lugh** » 03 Dec 2003, 06:57

For me - whilst I accept that there is no shame in losing to Swaby - the NATURE of the defeat has limited my belief in him - he HAS got questions about his punch-resistance and that WILL impede his development.

He is also (IMO) there to be out-boxed by a reasonably talented mover eventually.

I am afraid I (most unpatriotically) will not be jumping on this (short-lived IMO) band-wagon.

But hey I thought Gary Lockett and Bradley Pryce represented the future of Welsh boxing!!!!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 03 Dec 2003, 08:20

Enzo's whiskers will probably be his big undoing, a fast handed puncher
will take him down, Haye would probably be a big no-no, but then again
if Enzo landed a big one first

I don't care if Enzo isn't a world-beater, he seems like a nice guy, he's charismatic and engaging, and he will bring a bit of life to the cruiserweight division, which is weaker than a 100 year old man's skin.

Don't be embarassed, I though Bradley Pryce looked like a welsh SRL the first time I saw him, what a mistake that turned out to be!

Lugh · Post by **Lugh** » 03 Dec 2003, 08:52

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Don't be embarassed, I though Bradley Pryce looked like a welsh SRL the first time I saw him, what a mistake that turned out to be!

If he trained like Joe does - I reckon he would have been (alright - slight exaggeration!)

He can't seem to stay out of trouble for long enough to find out what he can be. Strangest of all - when you meet Brad, he is the quietest, most polite and courteous lad you could meet - yet I have read some pretty sad stories in the local press (spousal abuse charges) and heard some even more disturbing tales in the form of rumour.