Enzo Macarinelli Retires after Brutal KO & Rau’shee Warren Returns this Weekend
By Donald “Braveheart” Stewart
Do unto others as you would have them do unto yourself…
It’s a very Christian sentiment and not much followed for some but last weekend it sprang to my mind as the last man to put Roy Jones Jr, 63-9, 46 KO’s, on his backside, ended up there himself in the very first round. It was never going to be a straightforward ending but it was always going to be as dramatic as his career. In the first round of his attempt to take back the EBU cruiserweight title, Enzo Macarinelli, 41-8, 33 KO’s, got counted out. Following his TKO ending Macarinelli announced his retirement from the ring.
Dmytro Kuchner, 24-1-1, 18 KO’s, proved to be a highly dangerous opponent and he went home clutching the belt. Now I thought this would be a cracker. I didn’t reckon on such an early finish but Macarinelli has had a career that has been far from dull; in fact, it has been highly explosive.
Of his 49 fights, only 8 reached the end of their scheduled distance. This was a fighter who came in to fight and often ended his time early – 67% stoppage record in his favor!
It was meteoric and hard fought but by 2006 Macarinelli was the WBO cruiserweight champion. It led to a unification fight in 2008, after he had defended his title 4 times, against David Haye, 28-2, 26 KO’s; Macarinelli did not last beyond the 2nd round.
It led to a lean period in his career though he did manage to take the European title in 2010, then the British title in 2012. He was however yo yoing between domestic and European level as well as dropping to light heavyweight, taking the Commonwealth title in 2013 at the second time of asking.
Unable to win a world title at light heavy he was coming back up to get on the radar. His visit to Moscow to beat Roy Jones Jr fooled us into thinking the great days were on their way back – it was to prove a false dawn. The 35 year old – still only the same age as David Haye – has provided us with entertainment, headlines and drama. Is it really the end? I have my doubts…
Now this weekend, things are pretty quiet this side of the pond so I am looking Stateside for my big fight. And you guys have not let me down… a three time Olympian, in a grudge rematch? That’ll do nicely… Rau’shee Warren 13-1, 4 KO’s, wants revenge after having battled to a split 
Warren had harsh words after for the judges who gave Payano the fight and we are all used to the suggestion of bias. Payano saw none though and still claims he won fair and square. Both fighters got penalised in the ring, losing points that ultimately altered the scoring. This time round they both vow that there shall be no doubt as the winner; it shall be him!
And this weekend they get to do it all again and I for one cannot wait! Both are boxers I knew very little about and when there is not a lot going on in the UK it is always nice to look across at our cousins and see what is happening. I like nothing better than finding out about the vast array of very good fighters both in the US and in South America.
Warren has prepared much better this time and has the brash confidence of a man who believes he has been robbed. Payano has the swagger of a man who is convinced that they had the bout won the first time and is only going through this to remove any doubt in anyone’s mind.
It’s a massive call as to who should walk off with the belt but I am going for Warren. Last time, Warren was more accurate though Payano had a higher punch rate. This time I reckon it shall be similar butt with Warren’s accuracy being far more telling than last time to take the title.
All shall be revealed on the NBC and of course here on Ringside Report next week…
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