06.02.09 – by James Slater – Just lately, there have been two or three different fighters being given the “most feared man in boxing” title – Antonio Margarito and Paul Williams most famously. For a while there in recent days, it seemed cruiserweight banger Enzo Maccarinelli was something of a contender to take the title! Just how hard has it been for the Welshman to get an opponent, and then see this opponent stick around and actually look like going through with the fight?
The Jonathan Banks palaver was well documented; what with the unbeaten Kronk fighter pulling out of a fight with the former WBO 200-pound boss twice. Then there was talk of a Maccarinelli-Herbie Hide fight, only for Hide (according to Enzo) to bottle it. And most recently, we’ve seen Victor Emilio Ramirez pull out of facing Macca at short notice. Now – though I’m somewhat hesitant in even writing an article on the subject, because until the two men are in the ring you never know! – London-born 28-year-old Ola Afolabi is the next man put forth for the understandably frustrated Maccarinelli.
Set to tackle the big puncher in Manchester, on the March 14th Khan-Barrera show, the 13-1-3(5) Afolabi, who now calls California home, will meet Maccarinelli for the interim WBO belt. A dangerous fighter who figures to make the former champ work incredibly hard to get his win, Afolabi may even go one better than that and score the upset.
Upset? With Maccarinelli being the more recognisable name and with him being the fighter under contract to the promoter putting on the fight, it’s fair to say most fans would deem it an upset if Afolabi turned him over. But a close look at the Californian’s record lets you know he is in no way a mug of a fighter, nor one who should be looked at as a no hoper against Maccarinelli.
A pro since early 2002, the man nicknamed “Kryptonite” has been in with some good names. He has also upset the perceived favourite before now, too. Boxing mostly in Las Vegas, Afolabi, after losing on points in a four-rounder to the up-and-coming Allan Green at light-heavyweight, earned himself wins over reasonable fighters like Willie Chapman, Michael Simms and a faded Orlin Norris. The Norris victory came in 2005, and afterwards Afolabi disappeared for almost two-and-a-half years.
Coming back in April of last year, with a 11-1-3(4) record, the returning fighter was put in with the going places Eric “Danger” Fields – the unbeaten fighter who had just destroyed Kelvin “Concrete” Davis in one round. It was Afolabi who was the danger man, though, as he upset Fields with a 10th round TKO – thus halting the exciting prospect’s rampage to the top.
Showing he can take a good shot as well as give one, the man with “Kryptonite” in his gloves at last made a name for himself. A useful points win over DeLeon Tinsley followed in August of last year, and now Afolabi gets Maccarinelli.
The Welshman has been absolutely straining at the leash to get his first meaningful fight since losing by heavy stoppage to David Haye. Will this sheer desire to fight go against Maccarinelli, or will it make him a more savage force? Over-anxiousness to land his own bombs may allow Maccarinelli to walk into one of Afolabi’s. Or maybe things will indeed go according to the script Enzo and his promoter Frank Warren surely have in mind, and he will take out his frustration on his London-born foe.
This writer sees a combination of the two proposed scenarios. Maccarinelli may well win, but his somewhat suspect chin could also see to it that he has to survive a few scares. The fight should prove to be an entertaining battle; it could even develop into the fight of the night. Hell, Afolabi has nothing to lose, and it’s a good bet he will come in with a snarl and really attempt to land all the leather he can.
Enzo Maccarinelli has a fight at last (barring yet another opponent withdrawal), but it could well prove to be one he has a tough time winning!