Enzo Maccarinelli wants to fight Makabu

[Ruthless-RKO]

Former world champion Enzo Maccarinelli is the latest retired boxer to get the itch to fight again.

In the last few weeks, former world champions like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and James Toney are all considering the possibility of fighting again - at the very least on an exhibition level.

Maccarinelli, 39-years-old and a former cruiserweight beltholder, is much younger than the rest - but he's tempted to return for at least one more fight - to reach number 50.

Maccarinelli (41-8, 33 KOs) has been inactive since June of 2016, when he was knocked out by Dmytro Kucher in one round. The loss snapped a three fight win streak, which included a brutal four round knockout of Roy Jones Jr. six months earlier.

Maccarinelli is under no illusion, he realizes that it's way too late to start another world title run. He just wants to go out with a win. But a solid comeback win often leads to more offers and in turn more fights.

"For my mental health, I need this 50th fight. I know I've got something left. I know I'm not going to put a run together. I'm too old for that, I've got too much going on. I had 50 amateur fights and I won 46. I'd love to finish on 50 pro fights. I did a bit of sparring last year. I won't mention any names because I'm not like that. He's highly touted and I hadn't been in a ring for year. Cut a long story short, first round I was awful, second round, things started to come together and third round, I finished it," Maccarinelli said to Sky Sports.

"I had a car crash. Then I lost my [step] brother. Everything went to hell. I had a herniated disc, pressing on my right and left leg nerve [from the crash], so I pretty much couldn't walk for a year. My running times are improving, my punch output. I'm looking just as fast as I ever have on the bag."

"I have, yes [been knocked out eight times]. If you look at my fights, yes I've been caught. But I've never ever taken a sustained beating. Not once, not in the gym, in sparring either. I've been caught with big shots. Ninety percent of the time, I've been on top, moving into finish. That was my style."

While he doesn't expect to begin a world title run, Maccarinelli does see a champion who is there for the taking, a fighter who is open enough to get caught with a big punch.

Maccarinelli is not looking to end his career with a victory over a hopeless journeyman.

"One I do see is that (Ilunga) Makabu, the WBC champion. I would fancy that. I really think I could. He's dangerous, but I think he's open. I think I'd be able to catch him," Maccarinelli said.

"I wouldn't want my 50th fight to be against a taxi driver or a road sweeper, I'd need someone to frighten me a little. In my last fight [against Ukrainian Dmytro Kucher], I let myself down. I wasn't focused. I was in the ring thinking of taking my son to football in the morning."

[Boxerbeetle]

This sounds like a bad idea.

[bigjack]

This sounds like a bad idea.

serious ko without a doubt,please someone have a word with him,he doesn't need to be ko'd for a 9th time,it could prove very dangerous.

[Stuarty]

Another Enzo special highlight reel KO in the offing if this fight happens!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Not saying he shouldn't have a 50th fight..

But he doesn't need Makabu.

Plus he isn't ranked by them is he.. (Not like they can just add im in next month or so)

[chiggsy]

"I was thinking about taking my son to football in the morning"

Not sure if that's the worst excuse for getting sausaged in the first round i've ever heard but it's surely a contender.

[Ruthless-RKO]

"I was thinking about taking my son to football in the morning"

Not sure if that's the worst excuse for getting sausaged in the first round i've ever heard but it's surely a contender.

He was a last minute replacement..

[TheGman]

Former world champion Enzo Maccarinelli is the latest retired boxer to get the itch to fight again.

In the last few weeks, former world champions like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and James Toney are all considering the possibility of fighting again - at the very least on an exhibition level.

Maccarinelli, 39-years-old and a former cruiserweight beltholder, is much younger than the rest - but he's tempted to return for at least one more fight - to reach number 50.

Maccarinelli (41-8, 33 KOs) has been inactive since June of 2016, when he was knocked out by Dmytro Kucher in one round. The loss snapped a three fight win streak, which included a brutal four round knockout of Roy Jones Jr. six months earlier.

Maccarinelli is under no illusion, he realizes that it's way too late to start another world title run. He just wants to go out with a win. But a solid comeback win often leads to more offers and in turn more fights.

"For my mental health, I need this 50th fight. I know I've got something left. I know I'm not going to put a run together. I'm too old for that, I've got too much going on. I had 50 amateur fights and I won 46. I'd love to finish on 50 pro fights. I did a bit of sparring last year. I won't mention any names because I'm not like that. He's highly touted and I hadn't been in a ring for year. Cut a long story short, first round I was awful, second round, things started to come together and third round, I finished it," Maccarinelli said to Sky Sports.

"I had a car crash. Then I lost my [step] brother. Everything went to hell. I had a herniated disc, pressing on my right and left leg nerve [from the crash], so I pretty much couldn't walk for a year. My running times are improving, my punch output. I'm looking just as fast as I ever have on the bag."

"I have, yes [been knocked out eight times]. If you look at my fights, yes I've been caught. But I've never ever taken a sustained beating. Not once, not in the gym, in sparring either. I've been caught with big shots. Ninety percent of the time, I've been on top, moving into finish. That was my style."

While he doesn't expect to begin a world title run, Maccarinelli does see a champion who is there for the taking, a fighter who is open enough to get caught with a big punch.

Maccarinelli is not looking to end his career with a victory over a hopeless journeyman.

"One I do see is that (Ilunga) Makabu, the WBC champion. I would fancy that. I really think I could. He's dangerous, but I think he's open. I think I'd be able to catch him," Maccarinelli said.

"I wouldn't want my 50th fight to be against a taxi driver or a road sweeper, I'd need someone to frighten me a little. In my last fight [against Ukrainian Dmytro Kucher], I let myself down. I wasn't focused. I was in the ring thinking of taking my son to football in the morning."

Ye stay away from taxi drivers,we are tough as old boots

[polecateddy]

It’s just silly. He should do some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu again and get it out of his system.

[jameswilson]

FFS this is so stupid.

When I saw the thread a few days ago I was concerned but someone then said it’s literally for one last fight to get to 50 and it would be against modest opposition.

2 days later who is his modest pick. A guy in the top 5 of the division. A current World champ and possibly one of the biggest punchers in the division.

Don’t do it Enzo. You’re literally taking years off your life if you do it.

[polecateddy]

He’d probably have to travel to get the fight, so he’d just be the away fighter and a name to pad Makabu’s record. Bit grim really!

[cormack]

pointless exercise , he gets splattered which I dont mind watching PPV ?

[mickey1975]

Enzo sounds a little unstable on Twitter.

[Coco]

Former world champion Enzo Maccarinelli is the latest retired boxer to get the itch to fight again.

In the last few weeks, former world champions like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and James Toney are all considering the possibility of fighting again - at the very least on an exhibition level.

Maccarinelli, 39-years-old and a former cruiserweight beltholder, is much younger than the rest - but he's tempted to return for at least one more fight - to reach number 50.

Maccarinelli (41-8, 33 KOs) has been inactive since June of 2016, when he was knocked out by Dmytro Kucher in one round. The loss snapped a three fight win streak, which included a brutal four round knockout of Roy Jones Jr. six months earlier.

Maccarinelli is under no illusion, he realizes that it's way too late to start another world title run. He just wants to go out with a win. But a solid comeback win often leads to more offers and in turn more fights.

"For my mental health, I need this 50th fight. I know I've got something left. I know I'm not going to put a run together. I'm too old for that, I've got too much going on. I had 50 amateur fights and I won 46. I'd love to finish on 50 pro fights. I did a bit of sparring last year. I won't mention any names because I'm not like that. He's highly touted and I hadn't been in a ring for year. Cut a long story short, first round I was awful, second round, things started to come together and third round, I finished it," Maccarinelli said to Sky Sports.

"I had a car crash. Then I lost my [step] brother. Everything went to hell. I had a herniated disc, pressing on my right and left leg nerve [from the crash], so I pretty much couldn't walk for a year. My running times are improving, my punch output. I'm looking just as fast as I ever have on the bag."

"I have, yes [been knocked out eight times]. If you look at my fights, yes I've been caught. But I've never ever taken a sustained beating. Not once, not in the gym, in sparring either. I've been caught with big shots. Ninety percent of the time, I've been on top, moving into finish. That was my style."

While he doesn't expect to begin a world title run, Maccarinelli does see a champion who is there for the taking, a fighter who is open enough to get caught with a big punch.

Maccarinelli is not looking to end his career with a victory over a hopeless journeyman.

"One I do see is that (Ilunga) Makabu, the WBC champion. I would fancy that. I really think I could. He's dangerous, but I think he's open. I think I'd be able to catch him," Maccarinelli said.

"I wouldn't want my 50th fight to be against a taxi driver or a road sweeper, I'd need someone to frighten me a little. In my last fight [against Ukrainian Dmytro Kucher], I let myself down. I wasn't focused. I was in the ring thinking of taking my son to football in the morning."

This is a weird statement. People using the phrase 'my mental health' to excuse anything. Prince andrew used that phrase to get sympathy.... also getting spectacularly KTFO by Makabu in front of your kids isn't gonna do his mental health any good is it

Maybe Prince Andrew getting knocked out in the ring would increase his popularity

[veriton]

Mental Élf - given a bit of traction by the castrated boar mucher now every other boxer can't wait to spill his guts about "his struggle"

No doubt there will be plenty of pity party interviews once this covid business is over.

As for Enzo, I hope it is Makuba....his last fight was in the Congo, wouldn't mind going there to the place of Ali v Foreman. Decent lads trip away.

[NoScoutingReports]

Dear me, this would not end well for Enzo.

[kevo]

Is First Arslan still knocking about? Be a decent fight for Enzo I think

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is First Arslan still knocking about? Be a decent fight for Enzo I think

Wasn’t it him who just got sentenced?

[margaret thatcher]

Is First Arslan still knocking about? Be a decent fight for Enzo I think

Wasn’t it him who just got sentenced?

Ruthy mate, you're the one who posted the article that it was Sturm

[Ruthless-RKO]

Wasn’t it him who just got sentenced?

Ruthy mate, you're the one who posted the article that it was Sturm

I get confused with those two. Arslan is the near 50 year old isn’t he hah

[margaret thatcher]

Ya, would've been a decent matches at their peaks, as Enzo could bang and Arslan was there to be found. Arslan very unlucky not to get the decision in the first Huck fight and also had wins over Drozd and Hill. Prob would've been too tough in the end

[margaret thatcher]

Lerena should be slapped for fighting Seferi and 49 year old Arslan back to back when there have now been 2 cruiser wbss

Enzo could probably get a IBO fight vs Kev

[TheLeprechaun]

Enzo sounds a little unstable on Twitter.

He's been starched too many times.

[orbtastic]

someone should just show him the last round of the Frenkel fight and remind him why he retired.

I saw it live from ringside, it was horrible to watch. Not the best KO of the night though, the dude in the polo shirt up in the rafters got starched clean and fell about ten rows. Beaut of a KO.

[stujones]

To be fair, I don't think he ever "retired" - he mentioned fight 50 about a week after fight 49.

If he needs closure, then he needs closure and I hope he is okay.