• Ovil McKenzie v Enzo Maccarinelli

Maccarinelli title bid ends in controversy

ESPN staff
November 9, 2012
Ovill McKEnzie celebrates after the referee stops the fight © PA Photos
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Enzo Maccarinelli's bid to get his hands on Ovill McKenzie's Commonwealth light-heavyweight belt lasted just two rounds after the referee stepped in to stop the fight.

Referee Ian John Lewis sparked jeers from the crowd when he called a premature end to the fight at Liverpool's Olympia after an early barrage by McKenzie.

Former cruiserweight world champion Maccarinelli, who will now face calls to hang up his gloves, sound found himself on the back foot in the early stages.

McKenzie began to up the tempo in the second round and had his opponent up against the ropes, landing a couple of jabs in quick succession.

The referee stepped in, and after assessing Maccarinelli, called an end to the fight on a technical knockout as McKenzie made a facile second defence of his title.

"Poor Enzo, and poor Ian John Lewis, outstanding referee, one of the best and I think he knew straight away he jumped the gun," Ricky Hatton said on Twitter.

In the main fight, Paul Butler knocked out John Donnelly inside a minute as he claimed the British super-flyweight title. Paul Smith stopped Tommy Tolan in the fourth round, while his brother Liam Smith outpointed Gary McMillan.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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