Nathan Cleverly: "Enzo Maccarinelli Can't Just Call Me Out and Expect a World Title Shot" (Video)

by Scott Christ on Nov 19, 2011 6:08 AM EST in Boxing Interviews & Quotes

As more or less expected yesterday at York Hall, Enzo Maccarinelli thrashed easy patsy opponent Gyorgy Marosi in 91 seconds in his first fight moving down from cruiserweight. Though Maccarinelli is a former major titleholder at cruiser and wants a title shot at fellow Welshman Nathan Cleverly, who holds the WBO belt, Cleverly says that Maccarinelli will have to earn it first:

"(His performance was) expected, really. I thought Enzo would get him out of there in the early rounds, as expected. I think the opponent was there for him to do that tonight. It was a chance for him to break up a few cobwebs, build him a bit of confidence ... If he comes through a few challenges, if he beats someone like (Ovill) McKenzie or Tony Bellew, then why not? I'd be more than happy to take the fight and do the business. But he's got to fight some meaningful fights first. He can't just call me out and expect a world title shot. It doesn't work like that. You've got to earn your shot."

Cleverly (23-0, 11 KO) says he's hoping to unify with WBA titlist Beibut Shumenov (12-1, 8 KO), and isn't ruling out a rematch with Tony Bellew, either, though he also doesn't sound enthused by that idea. Bellew gave Cleverly a bit more than most expected on October 15 in Liverpool.

As for Maccarinelli (33-5, 26 KO), I really think this is a guy that everyone likes. I know I personally enjoy his style, his guts, and his personality. But the fact of the matter is, Enzo has a chin that can get cracked in a hurry. He's been stopped in all five of his losses, and the last in 2010 against Alexander Frenkel was a scary knockout. Moving down in weight is probably not going to be the cure-all for that, and he proved nothing by smoking Marosi on Friday. I hope he beats the odds and becomes a contender at 175, because he's fun to watch. But I suspect that when he gets back in with someone who can fight and take a shot, he's going to hit that wall again. It's spark-or-be-sparked.

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He is a massive LHW

I think they said last night on BN that he’s 6 ft 4?

by Sweet science on Nov 19, 2011 6:40 AM EST reply actions

He is 6’4", and towered over Marosi. But he also fights straight up still. He’s a walking target for guys who can take his shots.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 19, 2011 7:06 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah im not insisting for one minute that he will do much damage

I think he will get his title shot, because lets face it, he will have major pop at LHW

by Sweet science on Nov 19, 2011 7:31 AM EST up reply actions

Yep, he’ll always have his punch.

McKenzie would be a decent test on where Mac stands in the domestic LHW division.

by DPlainview on Nov 19, 2011 9:08 AM EST up reply actions

I think he’s perfect, actually.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 19, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

he will have major pop at LHW

That could be the case, but it’s not for certain, imo.
Moving down to light heavy makes him bigger than most of his opponnents, but it also means that he could be weakening himself by having to drop an extra 25lbs.

by Matt Mosley on Nov 19, 2011 9:24 AM EST up reply actions

He still seemed to have snap on his shots in the 90 seconds of ring time yesterday. I think he’s just a naturally strong puncher, like the TV guy was saying. He’ll have that.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Nov 19, 2011 10:32 AM EST up reply actions