Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
WBN Editor
Controversial start mars Welshman’s win
Enzo Maccarinelli is the new British cruiserweight champion
following an amazing start to an all-round entertaining clash at the Civic Hall
in Wolverhampton as Shane McPhilibin was roundly beaten after a blistering
start.
The 26 year-old title holder was fighting in only his 11th
pro contest tonight, but rocked the former world champion in the first round
more than once and had the Swansea man down after just over two minutes of the
opener.
The controversy came as Maccarinelli rose to his feet with
2:08 on the clock and the bell keeper at ringside astonishingly signalled the
end of the round after a few more seconds with Maccarinelli apparently out on his feet.
McPhilbin never seemed to make much fuss about the ending to
the round but it may have been a completely different story if the Nottinghamshire
fighter was able to finish his good work and end the fight to retain his belt.
Maccarinelli, 31, was clearly unsteady for the next two
rounds and did well to use his experience to survive, although another knockdown
in the third round only seemed to confirm his weak ability to take a punch.
Upon a pre-fourth round telling off from cornerman Dean
Powell, who was in charge as trainer Enzo Calzaghe was unable to take his place
over licensing issues, Maccarinelli then came out with much more gusto in the
fourth.
From then in it was much more straight-forward for the
challenger, who took seven of the next eight rounds, including a knockdown in
the ninth that was scored when looking more like a lean-on, to claim the British
belt he promised his late father.
The judges’ cards read 115-110, 116-111 and 115-111 to go
alongside my card of 114-111 to hand Maccarinelli a hard-earned Lonsdale belt
and some more pressing questions about where he takes his boxing career.