BBBofC orders Maccarinelli-McPhilbin rematch

By Boxing News - 03/30/2012 - Comments

Image: BBBofC orders Maccarinelli-McPhilbin rematchBy Sean McDaniel: Newly crowned British cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli (35-5, 27 KO’s) has a big decision to make as to whether or not he should fight former Shane McPhilbin (8-3, 5 KO’s) again or vacate the title.

This comes after the British Boxing Board of Control ordered a rematch between Maccarinelli and McPhilbin to clear up the controversy from their March 23rd fight in which the times keeper rang the bell 47 seconds early to end the 1st round after Maccarinelli had been knocked to the canvas.

Maccarinelli was able to make it back to his feet but he was still staggering when the round immediately ended with the time keeper ringing the bell. This early end to the 1st round may have saved a still badly hurt Maccarinelli from being knocked out. As it was, Maccarinelli took a lot of punishment in the 2nd round and was knocked down in the 3rd round. Maccarinelli didn’t really get his act together until the 4th when he was able to take control over the fight as McPhilbin was badly gassed out and fighting really ragged.

Maccarinelli could take the fight to prove to boxing fans that it was a fluke thing and that he’s better than that. However, it’s a big risk because he was unable to keep the stocky McPhilbin on the outside due to his lack of movement, not throwing enough jabs and not tying him up on the inside when McPhilbin was coming in on him to land his big shots.

Another reason why it might be a big risk is all the rabbit punches that McPhilbin landed in the first fight. The referee never did a thing to stop this other than telling McPhilbin not to do it. At some point in the fight McPhilbin probably should have lost points and maybe even been disqualified. If Maccarinelli can’t be sure whether a referee will be able to control McPhilbin’s rabbit punching, then it’s best not to take the fight. Had the fight taken place in the United States, there’s no doubt that McPhilbin would have had points taken away and would likely been disqualified for all the rabbit punches.



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