David Haye vs. Enzo Maccarinelli
{{short description|Boxing match}}
{{use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox boxing match
| Fight Name = Bombs Away
| image = 250px
| caption =
| fight date = 8 March 2008
| location = The O2 Arena, Greenwich, London, UK
| titles = WBA, WBC, WBO and The Ring cruiserweight titles
| fighter1 = David Haye
| nickname1 = "The Hayemaker"
| hometown1 = Bermondsey, London, UK
| purse1 = £600,000
| record1 = 20–1 (19 KO)
| age1 = {{age in years and months |13 October 1980 |8 March 2008}}
| height1 = 6 ft 3 in
| weight1 = 198 lb
| style1 = Orthodox
| recognition1 = WBA, WBC and The Ring
Cruiserweight Champion
| fighter2 = Enzo Maccarinelli
| nickname2 = "Big Mac"
| hometown2 = Swansea, Wales, UK
| purse2 =
| record2 = 28–1 (21 KO)
| age2 = {{age in years and months |20 August 1980 |8 March 2008}}
| height2 = 6 ft 4 in
| weight2 = 197 lb
| style2 = Orthodox
| recognition2 = WBO
Cruiserweight Champion
The Ring
No. 5 Ranked Cruiserweight
| result = Haye defeats Maccarinelli by 2nd round TKO
}}
David Haye vs. Enzo Maccarinelli, billed as Bombs Away, was a professional boxing match contested on 8 March 2008, for the WBA, WBC, WBO and The Ring cruiserweight championship.{{cite web |title=David Haye vs. Enzo Maccarinelli |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/David_Haye_vs._Enzo_Maccarinelli |website=boxrec.com |publisher=BoxRec |access-date=7 January 2025}}
Background
After his stoppage victory over Jean-Marc Mormeck in November 2007 to win the WBA, WBC, The Ring and lineal{{cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/cruiser.htm|title=David Haye - Lineal Cruiserweight Champion|publisher=The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia}} cruiserweight championship, David Haye had planned to move up full time to heavyweight (having had a one off bout against Tomasz Bonin at the weight in April 2007), however promoter Frank Warren had been pushing for him to face his WBO champion Enzo Maccarinelli in an unification bout.{{cite web |author1=Kevin Mitchell |title=Vicious right makes Haye a double world champion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/nov/11/boxing.news |website=The Guardian |access-date=7 January 2025 |date=11 November 2007}} After either a heavyweight or catchweight bout was mooted Haye would tell BBC Sport he was "bending over backwards" to make the cruiserweight for the bout, saying "People keep telling me to fight Maccarinelli and I say I'm not a cruiserweight [any more], but it's being said so much that I told my manager Adam Booth to do what he can to make it happen. I've trained every day since I beat Jean-Marc Mormeck to make sure that my weight doesn't go up in the slim chance that the Maccarinelli fight could happen. It's a fight for the fans. It means little to me as I would bowl him over in a couple of rounds."{{cite web |title=Macca welcomes Haye's challenge |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7147928.stm |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 January 2025 |date=17 December 2007}} During a stall in the negotiations Haye's promoter Frank Maloney held talks with Top Rank to potentially arrange a bout with former two time heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman for March 2008.{{cite web |author1=Mark Vester |title=David Haye vs. Hasim Rahman Collide in March? |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/david-haye-vs-hasim-rahman-collide-march--11789 |website=boxingscene.com |publisher=Boxing Scene |access-date=9 January 2025 |date=21 December 2007}}
The bout between Haye and Maccarinelli was officially announced in January 2008 and was set for 8 March at The O2 Arena, only about 4 miles from Haye's birthplace of Bermondsey. The match up drew immediate comparison to the Benn Eubank rematch 15 years earlier, with the event's promoter Warren saying "This is the biggest since Benn-Eubank, without a doubt. We've got the two biggest punchers in world boxing facing each other - we're going to see something very special."{{cite web |author1=Ben Dirs |title=Haye-Macca 'biggest for 15 years' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7163061.stm |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 January 2025 |date=7 January 2008}}{{cite web |author1=Ben Dirs |title=British boxing's sure-fire classic |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7176035.stm |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 January 2025 |location=O2 Arena, London |date=8 January 2008}}{{cite web |title=Enzo predicts brutal bout |url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/3029768/enzo-predicts-brutal-bout |website=skysports.com |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=9 January 2025 |date=7 January 2008}}{{cite news |title=Date set for Enzo Maccarinelli v David Haye |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxing/2329648/Date-set-for-Enzo-Maccarinelli-v-David-Haye.html |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=The Telegraph |agency=Telegraph staff and agencies |date=28 December 2007}}
During the build up Maccarinelli would describe Haye as "delusional" for suggesting that he had faced the better opposition than Maccarinelli, saying that "I totally disagree with him saying he has mixed in better company than me. All right, he beat Jean-Marc Mormeck and he fought Carl Thompson, who beat him. But there are no other names that stand out on his record apart from Arthur Williams, who was 44 and took the fight at a week's notice. I boxed Bruce Scott in my 15th fight, a two-time world title challenger and a massive puncher. I've boxed Mark Hobson, the British and Commonwealth champion, Wayne Braithwaite, a former WBC champion, Marcelo Dominguez, a former WBC champion.{{cite web |author1=Ben Dirs |title=Haye is delusional - Maccarinelli |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7269874.stm |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 January 2025 |date=29 February 2008}}{{cite news |author1=Sean Ingle |title=Interview David Haye |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/mar/07/smalltalk.sportinterviews |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=7 March 2008}}{{cite news |author1=Alan Hubbard |title=Boxing: Battle of Brits should be a belter but will it be worth the weight for Haye? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-battle-of-brits-should-be-a-belter-but-will-it-be-worth-the-weight-for-haye-790238.html |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=The Independent |date=2 March 2008}}{{cite web |author1=Steve Bunce |title=No love lost between Haye and Enzo |url=http://www.setanta.com/en/Blogs/A-to-Z-of-Bloggers/Steve-Bunce/2008/02/No-love-lost-between-Haye-and-Enzo/?facets/sport-space/great-britain-locale/ |website=setanta.com |publisher=Setanta Sports |access-date=9 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623194518/http://www.setanta.com:80/en/Blogs/A-to-Z-of-Bloggers/Steve-Bunce/2008/02/No-love-lost-between-Haye-and-Enzo/?facets/sport-space/great-britain-locale/ |archive-date=23 June 2008 |date=6 March 2008}}{{cite news |author1=Gareth A Davies |title=Talking over for Haye and Maccarinelli |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxing/2293680/Enzo-Maccarinelli-David-Haye-in-for-shock.html |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=The Telegraph |date=6 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109134551/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxing/2293680/Enzo-Maccarinelli-David-Haye-in-for-shock.html |archive-date=9 January 2025}}
While Haye entered to the bout as the 4/7 favourite, many backed Maccarinelli to upset him, with bookmaker Paddy Power stating "The fight is yet to capture the imagination of Hatton v Mayweather but punters are clearly leaning towards an Enzo upset at this stage. Both men have a big bang in their gloves but Haye’s chin isn’t quite so rock solid."{{cite news |title=Betting: Punters go for Enzo Macarinelli to beat David Haye |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/betting-punters-go-for-enzo-macarinelli-296691 |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=The Mirror |date=6 March 2008}} Former two weight titlist Steve Collins was among those backing Macarinelli to beat Haye.{{cite web |title=Collins expects Maccarinelli win |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7279549.stm |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 January 2025 |date=5 March 2008}}
The fight
The 1st rounds saw both fighters boxing cautiously, although Maccarinelli appeared to briefly hurt Haye with a left hook early on and later on Haye landed an overhand right of his own. The 2nd round saw Maccarinelli land another left that caused a cut to open above Haye's left eye. Haye would respond with a long right to the jaw followed by a left to the ribs that hurt Maccarinelli. He followed up with a fast furry of shot with Maccarinelli trapped it the corner ending with another hard right that sent the Welshman to the canvas. Maccarinelli rose but he appeared very unsteady on his feet prompting referee John Keane to stop the bout.{{cite web |author1=Alex Trickett |title=Haye v Maccarinelli as it happened |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7285821.stm |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 January 2025 |date=9 March 2008}}{{cite news |author1=Kevin Mitchell |title=Haye simply too good for Enzo |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/mar/09/boxing.kevinmitchell |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=9 March 2008}}{{cite web |author1=Michael Klimes |title=David Haye Destroys Enzo Maccarinelli |url=https://www.boxing247.com/boxing/Maccarinelli-Haye.php |website=boxing247.com |publisher=East Side Boxing |access-date=9 January 2025}}{{cite web |author1=Ciaran Baynes |title=Haye wins in two |url=http://www.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/3/08/Boxing-The-Battle-of-Britain/?facets/sport-space/great-britain-locale/ |website=setanta.com |publisher=Setanta Sports |access-date=9 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313215137/http://www.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/3/08/Boxing-The-Battle-of-Britain/?facets/sport-space/great-britain-locale/ |archive-date=13 March 2008 |date=9 March 2008}}
Aftermath
Speaking after the bout Haye confirmed that he was moving up the heavyweight saying "A lot of people said Enzo could beat me, so this is what had to happen before I moved up to heavyweight and became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. There'll be just as many people doubting me as there were doubting me before this fight, saying I'm too small, I've got no chin, no stamina. But I'm 100% certain that I'll achieve more things at heavyweight than I have done at cruiserweight. I'd fight Wladimir Klitschko in my next fight if I could after his pitiful fight against Sultan Ibragimov. That was embarrassing and he wouldn't look forward to fighting someone with my kind of style - powerful, explosive and able to take him out with any shot. I'll work my way up the rankings, I'm not looking at taking shortcuts, and you guys will get a real entertaining ride. I'm not looking at boxing into my 31st year, so I've got two and a half years to get the job done. If the titles get unified, hopefully I'll just have to fight one guy." He would admit that the cut meant forced him to finish the bout quickly saying "Once I realised I was cut I had to take a couple of risks. As soon as I felt the blood, Adam said close the show, so I did."
Maccarinelli would make no excuses for his defeat saying "I made a mistake, simple as. I caught him in the first round with a short left hook but I didn't jump in and do what I should have done and in the second round I put my chin up in the air and he caught me, jumped in and finished me off. I should have taken a knee, but I didn't and he jumped in and showed he's a good finisher. Everyone knew he was a banger and everyone knew it was going to go early and it was a case of who landed first. I landed in the first round and didn't capitalise, he capitalised, end of story and all the best to him." He would also praise Haye admitting "He was a lot faster and a lot sharper than I thought he would be. He does hit hard and he's got all the attributes to go up to heavyweight."{{cite web |author1=Ben Dirs |title=Awesome Haye stops Maccarinelli |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7285818.stm |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 January 2025 |location=O2 Arena, London |date=9 March 2008}}
In May 2008 Haye formally vacated the WBC belt, followed by the WBA and WBO belts before making his heavyweight return in November against veteran former world title challenger Monte Barrett.{{cite web |author1=WBC |title=David Haye Vacates WBC Cruiserweight Title |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/david-haye-vacates-wbc-cruiserweight-title--13936 |website=boxingscene.com |publisher=Boxing Scene |access-date=10 January 2025 |date=12 May 2008}} He would also part with promoter Frank Maloney.{{cite web |title=David Haye and Maloney part company |url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=15287&more=1 |website=eastsideboxing.com |publisher=East Side Boxing |access-date=10 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419100727/http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=15287&more=1 |archive-date=19 April 2008}}
Maccarinelli was set to face unbeaten IBO titleholder Johnathon Banks for the now vacant WBO belt in July, then September{{cite web |author1=Mark Vester |title=Maccarinelli vs. Banks Bout Stalls Over Postponements |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/maccarinelli-vs-banks-bout-stalls-over-postponements--16001 |website=boxingscene.com |publisher=Boxing Scene |access-date=10 January 2025 |date=18 September 2008}} before being moved to December.{{cite web |author1=Richard Maynard |title=Enzo Maccarinelli vs. Johnathon Banks on December 6 |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/enzo-maccarinelli-vs-johnathon-banks-on-december-6--16746 |website=boxingscene.com |publisher=Boxing Scene |access-date=10 January 2025 |date=3 November 2008}} However Banks pulled out with an ankle injury, then late replacement Francisco Álvarez failed his pre-fight medical due to high blood pressure, so Maccarinelli fought Matthew Ellis in a 10-round heavyweight bout.{{cite web |author1=Mark Vester |title=Enzo Maccarinelli To Face Matthew Ellis at Heavyweight |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/enzo-maccarinelli-face-matthew-ellis-heavyweight--17308 |website=boxingscene.com |publisher=Boxing Scene |access-date=10 January 2025 |date=5 December 2008}}
Undercard
Confirmed bouts:{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/545337|title=BoxRec - event|publisher=}}{{cite web |title=BATTLE OF BRITAIN- MACCARINELLI VS HAYE |url=http://www.setanta.com:80/en/UK/Our-Sports/Boxing2/ |website=setanta.com |publisher=Setanta Sports |access-date=9 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229170958/http://www.setanta.com:80/en/UK/Our-Sports/Boxing2/ |archive-date=29 February 2008}}
| class=wikitable
!Winner !! Loser!! Weight division/title belt(s) disputed !! Result |
| {{flagicon|GBR}} Kevin Mitchell
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Carl Johanneson |British and Commonwealth super featherweight titles |9th-round TKO |
| {{flagicon|GBR}} Paul Smith
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Cello Renda |English middleweight title |6th-round TKO |
| colspan=4|Non-TV bouts |
|---|
| {{flagicon|GBR}} Patrick J Maxwell
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Anthony Young |Super middleweight (6 rounds) |4th round RTD |
| {{flagicon|GBR}} Vinny Mitchell
|{{flagicon|GBR}} John Baguley |Featherweight (4 rounds) |Points decision |
| {{flagicon|GBR}} Eddie Corcoran
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Johnny Greaves |Light welterweight (4 rounds) |Points decision |
| {{flagicon|GBR}} Michael Walsh
|{{flagicon|GEO}} Khvicha Papiashvili |Super flyweight (4 rounds) |4th-round TKO |
| {{flagicon|GBR}} Ryan Walsh
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Robin Deakin |Super bantamweight (4 rounds) |Points decision |
| {{flagicon|FRA}} Christopher Sebire
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Billy Smith |Welterweight (4 rounds) |Points decision |
Broadcasting
| class="wikitable" | |
| align=center | Country
! align=center | Broadcaster | |
|---|---|
| {{flag|Hungary}} | Sport 2 |
| {{flag|Ireland}} & {{flag|United Kingdom}} | Setanta Sport{{cite web |author1=Adam Marshall |title=Boxing: Live on Setanta |url=http://www.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2007/09/13/Boxing-coming-up-on-Setanta/ |website=setanta.com |publisher=Setanta Sports |access-date=9 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309045008/http://www.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2007/09/13/Boxing-coming-up-on-Setanta/ |archive-date=9 March 2008 |date=26 February 2008}} |
| {{flag|United States}} | Showtime |
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef | before=vs. Jean-Marc Mormeck}}
{{s-ttl | title=David Haye's bouts |years=8 March 2008}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Monte Barrett}}
{{s-bef | before=vs. Mohamed Azzaoui}}
{{s-ttl | title=Enzo Maccarinelli's bouts |years=8 March 2008}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Matthew Ellis}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Haye, Maccarinelli}}
Category:2008 in British sport
Category:2008 in sport in London
Category:March 2008 sports events in the United Kingdom
Category:Boxing matches at The O2 Arena