• Boxing

Maccarinelli vows to fight on - and targets Cleverly

ESPN staff
February 28, 2011
Enzo Maccarinelli is going to fight on at light-heavyweight © Getty Images
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Enzo Maccarinelli is targeting a bout against Nathan Cleverly after deciding to fight on in the light-heavyweight division.

Maccarinelli, a former cruiserweight world champion, considered hanging up his gloves after being comprehensively knocked out by Alexander Frenkel in August.

But the 30-year-old is refusing to throw in the towel, and will instead drop down a division in a bid to prolong his career. "I still want to be a fighter," he said. "Although I have made a few mistakes in recent years."

His decision to fight at 175lb will raise hopes of an all-Welsh battle against Cleverly, who will wear the WBO light-heavyweight strap if he beats Juergen Braehmer in May - and Maccarinelli has done nothing to dampen speculation by hailing Cleverly's potential.

"We've had some really good Welsh fighters on the scene in the past couple of years," he said. "But between Joe [Calzaghe's] retirement and myself it has slowed a little. Now there are these young guys coming through and I am coming back to fight in the light-heavyweight division because my desire is still strong."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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