Post by MRMILLWALL on Jan 6, 2008 19:18:23 GMT -1
Promoter Frank Warren says the all British world cruiserweight title fight between Enzo Maccarinelli and David Haye is likely to take place in London.
BBC Sport understands that the 02 Arena is the likely venue, with 8 March the probable date for the fight.
WBA light-welterweight champion Gavin Rees could defend his belt on the undercard against Andreas Kotelnik.
"We'll formerly announce it's on in a press conference in London on Monday and give more details," Warren said.
"Enzo and David Haye are getting together... and we've also managed to get Gavin Rees 'home' advantage for his mandatory defence against Kotelnik.
"It's good for British and certainly good for Welsh boxing."
WBO champion Maccarinelli retained his title last month, beating Mohamed Azzaoui in the fourth round at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
606: DEBATE
I think Haye has the class but Enzo has the punch to upset the apple cart
hazharrison
Londoner Haye had to get up from the canvas to sensationally stop Jean Marc Mormeck in the seventh round and claim the WBC and WBA titles in November.
With Wales' Maccarinelli going head-to-head against long-time target Haye, plus the possibility of Maccarinelli's compatriot Rees making his first defence against Ukrainian Kotelnik it promise an exciting night.
"If there is one fight I would buy a ticket to watch it would be Maccarinelli-Haye," Warren said.
"I'm in the business of delivering big fights and this is certainly a real fight for the boxing fans and media and one that they have been clamouring for.
"It has all the ingredients for a potentially thrilling fight: two big names, both huge punchers, both have been put down but got up to win and plenty of pride at stake."
And the two fighters are aiming to top the epic fights between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank.
I guarantee that I will knock out Maccarinelli
David Haye
"I'm delighted that Haye has finally put pen to paper and the fight is happening," said Swansea-born Maccarinelli.
"There is nothing like a big fight between the top two British fighters in the division to get the public excited.
"I believe that this will rival, if not better the Nigel Benn-Chris Eubank epics. We are both big punchers but I believe that I am the hardest hitter out of the two of us. Once I drop Haye he won't be getting up."
Haye said: "This will be the modern day Benn-Eubank. I'm glad that politics have been put to one side and that Frank Warren and my manager Adam Booth have made the fight happen.
"I feel that it is my duty as world champion to fight the very best and I guarantee that I will knock out Maccarinelli to convince the few doubters that I am the best cruiserweight that Britain has ever produced."
Haye had said he was "bending over backwards" to keep his weight under the 200lbs cruiserweight limit to face Maccarinelli.
And manager Booth said Haye is determined to ensure his weight will not be an issue in March.
"I won't say that's it's easy for him to make cruiserweight because it's not," Booth told BBC Radio Five Live.
"Making weight makes a man miserable and that's why he's looking forward to going up to heavyweight so he can enjoy eating and the training on a daily basis.
"But at this moment, to get this fight done, he's prepared to live the life of denial one more time."
Maccarinelli has stopped 21 of his 29 opponents with 16 coming inside the first three rounds, while Haye has halted 19 of his 21 opponents early with 14 inside the first three rounds.
Warren also revealed that Cwmbran-based middleweight Gary Lockett and Newbridge light middleweight Bradley Pryce could get world title shots "within the next six months".
As a mandatory challenger Lockett could face WBO and WBC champion Kelly Pavlik, although that is dependent on the American's defence against Jermain Taylor on 16 February.
Should this fight be at the 02 ill be there.
BBC Sport understands that the 02 Arena is the likely venue, with 8 March the probable date for the fight.
WBA light-welterweight champion Gavin Rees could defend his belt on the undercard against Andreas Kotelnik.
"We'll formerly announce it's on in a press conference in London on Monday and give more details," Warren said.
"Enzo and David Haye are getting together... and we've also managed to get Gavin Rees 'home' advantage for his mandatory defence against Kotelnik.
"It's good for British and certainly good for Welsh boxing."
WBO champion Maccarinelli retained his title last month, beating Mohamed Azzaoui in the fourth round at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
606: DEBATE
I think Haye has the class but Enzo has the punch to upset the apple cart
hazharrison
Londoner Haye had to get up from the canvas to sensationally stop Jean Marc Mormeck in the seventh round and claim the WBC and WBA titles in November.
With Wales' Maccarinelli going head-to-head against long-time target Haye, plus the possibility of Maccarinelli's compatriot Rees making his first defence against Ukrainian Kotelnik it promise an exciting night.
"If there is one fight I would buy a ticket to watch it would be Maccarinelli-Haye," Warren said.
"I'm in the business of delivering big fights and this is certainly a real fight for the boxing fans and media and one that they have been clamouring for.
"It has all the ingredients for a potentially thrilling fight: two big names, both huge punchers, both have been put down but got up to win and plenty of pride at stake."
And the two fighters are aiming to top the epic fights between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank.
I guarantee that I will knock out Maccarinelli
David Haye
"I'm delighted that Haye has finally put pen to paper and the fight is happening," said Swansea-born Maccarinelli.
"There is nothing like a big fight between the top two British fighters in the division to get the public excited.
"I believe that this will rival, if not better the Nigel Benn-Chris Eubank epics. We are both big punchers but I believe that I am the hardest hitter out of the two of us. Once I drop Haye he won't be getting up."
Haye said: "This will be the modern day Benn-Eubank. I'm glad that politics have been put to one side and that Frank Warren and my manager Adam Booth have made the fight happen.
"I feel that it is my duty as world champion to fight the very best and I guarantee that I will knock out Maccarinelli to convince the few doubters that I am the best cruiserweight that Britain has ever produced."
Haye had said he was "bending over backwards" to keep his weight under the 200lbs cruiserweight limit to face Maccarinelli.
And manager Booth said Haye is determined to ensure his weight will not be an issue in March.
"I won't say that's it's easy for him to make cruiserweight because it's not," Booth told BBC Radio Five Live.
"Making weight makes a man miserable and that's why he's looking forward to going up to heavyweight so he can enjoy eating and the training on a daily basis.
"But at this moment, to get this fight done, he's prepared to live the life of denial one more time."
Maccarinelli has stopped 21 of his 29 opponents with 16 coming inside the first three rounds, while Haye has halted 19 of his 21 opponents early with 14 inside the first three rounds.
Warren also revealed that Cwmbran-based middleweight Gary Lockett and Newbridge light middleweight Bradley Pryce could get world title shots "within the next six months".
As a mandatory challenger Lockett could face WBO and WBC champion Kelly Pavlik, although that is dependent on the American's defence against Jermain Taylor on 16 February.
Should this fight be at the 02 ill be there.
