World Boxing News 2010-2013

Phil D. Jay  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 beat...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Former champion comments on drugs ban Shane McPhilbin has opened up to WBN on former opponent Enzo Maccarinelli’s recent six-month ban for testing positive for a banned substance and has branded the former champion’s actions ‘a disgrace’ to the sport. The former British cruiserweight champion, who lost his title to the Swansea fighter in March, follows Maccarinelli’s former trainer Enzo Calzaghe in condemning the actions of the 31 year-old fighter. “Well I think it’s a disgrace that someone of his profile can sink to drugs,” McPhilbin told World Boxing News. “He got six months ban, but if I had done it I would have been banned for life.” McPhilbin, 26, put Maccarinelli down in the first round of their meeting at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton and controversy reigned when the Welshman was saved by the bell 47 seconds before the end of the round. Maccarinelli went on to take the title via a unanimous decision on the scorecards and...

Enzo Maccarinelli Following my fight against Shane McPhilbin in March, I was extremely surprised and disturbed to have tested positive for a banned substance known as methylhexaneamine. I purchased a product called Dexaprine that contained this banned substance from a combat magazine. The advert stated that it was an approved substance and I checked the ingredients which had no reference to any banned substance that I was aware of.  In fact, it also stated that it was suitable for athletes. I have since found out that this ‘fat burner’ contained a substance and consequently I failed a dope test, albeit with a very low reading. I wish to state that this substance was in no way used to gain any advantage in the ring or enhance my performance and whilst I appreciate that it may look that way, I would certainly never cheat or cut corners in my preparation. I have been tested over 20 times in my career and have never failed any random or post fight doping test, but on...

Professional boxer Enzo Maccarinelli has received a six-month suspension following an anti-doping rule violation. Mr Maccarinelli tested positive for  methylhexaneamine   (MHA) on 23 March 2012 following his bout with  Shane McPhilbin . He is banned from participation in all sports from 19 April 2012 to midnight on 18 October 2012. UK Anti-Doping Chief Executive Andy Parkinson said: “This is a timely reminder that, no matter what your sport, under the principle of strict liability athletes must exercise extreme caution over what they put into their body. “With this in mind, Olympic athletes should be aware that they are now in-competition from 16 July until 12 August and could be tested at anytime, anywhere. MHA is available in a range of supplement products, is banned in-competition, and can often be listed under a number of different names. “UK Anti-Doping continues to work closely with the British Boxing Board of Control to maintain the integrity of t...

Welshman career on hold Rumours that former world champion Enzo Maccarinelli had tested positive for a banned substance have been swirling around boxing for the past month and have now been confirmed. The 31 year-old, who recently vacated his British cruiserweight title, is facing a ban from the sport just as he may have been on the verge of a possible all-Welsh world title showdown with WBO light-heavyweight king Nathan Cleverly. The likeable fighter from Swansea had one of the best reputations in the sport and had also been working as a commentator for BoxNation when the first reports filtered through of a problem with his test result. Journeyman Michael Banbula and former English cruiserweight champion Terry Dunstan have also been named as the latest boxers to be serving suspensions for using banned substance.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Father says there was no chance of all-Welsh battle According to his father, WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly is currently in negotiations with WBA title holder Beibut Shumenov amongst others, as the Welshman looks to extend his unbeaten record in 2012. The 25 year-old was linked to an all-Welsh world title fight against Enzo Maccarinelli as the former world cruiserweight champion moved down to 175lbs, but Vince, who also trains his son, has poured scorn on the fight ever being on the table. “There was no chance of the fight happening,” Vince told World Boxing News. “It was just a publicity stunt to keep an interest in Welsh boxing. “Negotiations are going ahead between Nathan and the Shumenov camp about the unification fight and also with other boxers as well. I can’t see no reason why the fight between those two can’t happen in Las Vegas this year though provided a deal can be struck soon.” Shumenov, 28, has expressed...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Fellow-Welshman comments on Maccarinelli rumours WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly’s father Vince has spoken to WBN following internet rumours that touted future opponent to his son, Enzo Maccarinelli has recently failed a doping test. Cleverly, who has guided his son to three successful world title defences and an unbeaten 24-fight record, believes that any fighter who finds their skills deteriorating could be vulnerable to making a career-ending mistake. “When a guy is desperate to get back the good years I think he's always tempted to cheat a bit in some way,” Cleverly told World Boxing News. “To be honest, I don’t think Maccarinelli is capable of cheating, but when a man’s career nose dives who knows what their capable of as they have nothing to lose. “Anybody getting caught using illegal substances should be banned. It’s not fair on the hard working genuine guys like Nathan.” The UK-Anti doping agency have today...

Phil D. Jay  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 11 th 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...

Shane McPhilbin v Enzo Maccarinelli (British cruiserweight title) Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, UK 12x3                                                                                                          McPhilbin                   Maccarinelli               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  Round 1                      10 (1)                               8         ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Welshman ready for light-heavyweight test Former WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli is ready for his light-heavyweight debut and is just awaiting a date and opponent for his first outing at 175lbs after shedding the necessary pounds to reach the lower limit. The 31 year-old, who held the world title at 200lbs from 2006 to 2008, decided to move down to light-heavyweight after suffering a knockout defeat to European champion Alexander Frenkel last September and after linking up with Enzo Calzaghe, is ready for his first challenge. "My weight is good, I'm walking around at 13st 4lb at the moment,” Maccarinelli told World Boxing News. “Making light heavyweight is not and never will be an issue. “I'm eating healthy and training hard. I'm just itching to get back in the ring. “I'm ready and just waiting for the call,” he added. The hard-hitting Swansea man has been linked to a bout with fellow-Welshman an...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Scouser says no British title shot for Maccarinelli Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Tony Bellew (15-0, 10 KO’s) is hoping to add the British title to his belt collection on July 16th in a rematch with Derby’s Ovill McKenzie (18-10), but has no intention of defending it against the new 175lb fighter on the block, Enzo Maccarinelli. The Liverpudlian, who fights in his home city at the Echo Arena on the undercard to Ricky Burns’ world title defence against Nicky Cook, has become great friends with the Welshman over the years and has no desire to step into the ring with the former cruiserweight world champion now that he has moved down. “That fight isn’t happening,” said Bellew. “Me and Enzo are friends and I think he is racing me to Nathan Cleverly anyway.” The 28 year-old almost secured a last-minute world title challenge against WBO champion Cleverly in London last month, only for weight problems to scupper his plans. Bellew now hopes to p...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Welshman planning comeback at 175lbs Former WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli (32-5-0, 25 KO’s) is to make a return to the boxing ring after announcing his intention to shed 20lbs to make the light-heavyweight limit for the first time in his twelve-year professional career. The 30 year-old has seriously contemplated retiring from the sport after suffering another crushing knockout defeat in his last fight in September 2010 against Alexander Frenkel. His fifth career loss - all of which were bad knockouts. He now plans to shed a stone and half to trim down to the 175lb limit and will be hoping to keep his power, even though he is boiling down to a whole new weight division and will be looking to add to his 25 career knockout victories in the near future. Although no date has been officially pencilled in, there is speculation that he could be added to fellow Welshman Nathan Cleverly’s world title bill on April 2nd at Wembley Arena and many p...