Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
WBN Editor
Welshman ready to clear name
Former world champion Enzo Maccarinelli will return to the
ring upon the serving of his six-month ban for testing positive for a banned
substance and hopes to clear his name of any wrong-doing in the coming months.
The 31 year-old’s sentence will come to an end in October,
leaving the Swansea fighter free to resume his career with minimal impact and
Maccarinelli stated that he had no plans to walk away from the sport.
"Retirement isn't on my mind, I just want to clear my
name," Maccarinelli told thisissouthwales.co.uk.
"I've had a couple of heavy defeats against boys who
have gone to fight for world titles and I have been caught with clean shots.
"I want to see how it goes, but up until this ban
happened I was probably looking in the best shape of my life and I was back to
my old self.”
Maccarinelli went on: "I don't believe there should be
cheats in sport. Nothing beats hard work and my dad brought me up the right way
and for people in some circles to classify me as a cheat, my dad would turn in
his grave.
"I feel so bad just thinking that people would think I
would cheat when I work so hard."
The Lonsdale belt in Maccarinelli’s possession at the time
of the failed test is now vacant and it seems likely that the Welshman will
slim back down to the light-heavyweight limit for his next contest.
The one-time WBO title holder at cruiserweight had been
training with Enzo Calzaghe as his boiled down the necessary 25lbs to reach
175lbs and will now link-up with Gary Lockett for an assault on the lower
division.