Haye expresses concern for Maccarinelli
Following the vicious knockout of Enzo Maccarinelli on Saturday in Birmingham, WBA heavyweight champion David Haye has expressed concern for the fighter, displaying a more sympathetic side in comparison to his usual trash talk.
Haye was in attendance at the LG Arena for the seventh round knockout, when Alexander Frenkel caught Maccarinelli flush with a left that dropped him. While he managed to pull himself up, Maccarinelli was hit with another left shortly thereafter that savagely
rocked his head and put him on his back.
Haye said that he found it “extremely upsetting” to watch Maccarinelli lose in such a manner. He added, “Enzo is one of boxing’s true gentlemen […] I actually saw [him] leave in the ambulance after the show on Saturday had ended, and it was quite an emotional
sight. It was only two years ago that Enzo and I were squaring off in the biggest all-British unification match in years.” Haye also added that after the first knock-down, his corner should have stopped the fight.
Haye and Maccarinelli fought at the cruiserweight division in March 2008. Haye defeated Maccarinelli in a stunning second round TKO (this was Haye's last fight in the cruiserweight division).
Haye’s concern for his former opponent demonstrates a refreshing bit of humanity from a fighter widely known for his trash-talk. In recent weeks Haye was lampooned by critics for saying his upcoming November 13 bout with European champion Audley Harrison
would be “more one-sided than a gang-rape.”
He has also blasted Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, both of whom hold significant titles in the heavyweight division. Haye depicted himself on a t-shirt holding their severed heads in a boxing ring.
“It just goes to show you what a fickle and unfair sport this can be sometimes,” Haye said in reflection.
It is expected that Maccarinelli will consider retirement when he recuperates from the knockout.
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