Newz Forum: BOXING: Nelson rules out Macca bout

WBO cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson says a fight with WBU champion Enzo Maccarinelli will not be made.


The 37-year-old Sheffield boxer has confirmed his intention to retire in December and is scheduled to fight Rudiger May in Germany in September.

"Unless we fight before Christmas, and that won't happen, I won't be around," Nelson told the South Wales Argus.

"If we were to meet right now somebody would be making a mistake, it's too early (for Maccarinelli)."

Nelson was speaking after Maccarinelli, 23, made the fourth defence of his WBU belt in Newport on Saturday.

The Swansea bruiser was a clear points winner, but he was taken 12 rounds for the first time in his career by the durable, defensively minded Ismail Abdoul.

Maccarinelli has long targeted Nelson, whom he regards as the best cruiserweight in the world, and the WBO champion has also been keen to praise the young Welshman.

"From a totally selfish point of view, put us together now before he knows how to use the tools he's got," said Nelson.

"But for Enzo and for boxing, keep us away from each other.

"Let him grow, let him mature, let him get better because when he does and starts meeting the big guys, he will dominate this division for a long time."



Story from BBC SPORT:
news.bbc.co.uk...

Published: 2004/07/05 11:45:34 GMT

© BBC MMIV

AFTER Enzo Maccarinelli had to go the full 12 rounds to subdue Belgian challenger Ismail Abdoul at the Newport Centre on Saturday, all parties were in agreement on one thing - the Swansea man should stay away from Johnny Nelson for a while yet.

The 23-year-old WBU titleholder's fourth defence of the belt lasted longer than the first three put together as late substitute Abdoul frustrated the bigger man's search for his usual quick finish.

The cards of the three English judges reflected Maccarinelli's dominance, with Dave Parris giving him every round at 120-108, while Reg Thompson and Karl Rogers saw it at 119-109.

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I had the pleasure of working for Ringside on Saturday night when all the attention was focused on Enzo Maccarinelli as he retained his WBU cruiserweight title with a comfortable points victory.

Everyone seems to have given him a bit of stick since his win in Cardiff but people should not forget that this it was only his 19th professional fight and the first time in his career he's been taken the distance.

He was up against a guy in Ismael Abdoul who has been around the European scene for a while and had gone the 12 rounds with some tough opponents.

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