By James Slater: Last night, on Frank Warren’s big Cardiff show, former WBO cruiserweight king Enzo Maccarinelli scored an explosive 2nd-round TKO over a game but out-gunned over-matched Ciaran Healy of Ireland. The wickedly powerful Welshman, never in a dull fight win or lose, landed some heavy body shots, decking the 37-year-old twice in the 2nd, forcing the ref to call the fight off shortly after the second knockdown.
The official time was 2 minutes and 52-seconds. 31-year-old Maccarinelli is now 34-5(27). Healy, a natural middleweight/super-middleweight, is now 13-18-1(4).
The two men came out fast and we had a lively opening session. Maccarinelli got the better of things as expected, landing two hefty left hands to the shorter man’s midsection. The body assault continued in the 2nd, but this time Enzo crashed home with a powerful right hand, scoring the first of two knockdowns. Healy was under real fire after having climbed back up for a second time, and the ref dived an as the Irishman’s corner threw in the towel.
The likeable Maccarinelli, who had recently lost his father and fought last night whilst fighting back tears of emotion, now moves ahead to a shot at new British cruiserweight champ Shane McPhilbin. Many fans see the upcoming March 23rd fight as a relatively easy win for Enzo, yet McPhilbin is tough, game and dangerous. And, though the shots did nothing at all to him, Maccarienlli was tagged by a few by an advancing Healy last night. For what it’s worth, I think McPhilbin will push Maccarinelli hard next month.
The really big fight Enzo wants, of course, is one with fellow Welshman Nathan Cleverly. Speaking about this possible fight whilst being interviewed last night, Maccarinelli said he can easily make light-heavyweight still. Something of a rivalry has built up between “Clev” and “Big Macc,” mostly due to what Nathan’s father Vince has had to say about Maccarinelli. If it happens in Wales, the fight will be a huge event.
But Maccarinelli must first get by McPhilbin.