You are in > manchester.com  > News > Azzaoui to face Maccarinelli

Boxing

Azzaoui to face Maccarinelli

27/10/2007

Enzo Maccarinelli will defend his WBO cruiserweight crown against Mohamed Azzaoui after the Algerian stepped in to replace Ezra Sellers.

Azzaoui, who is unbeaten in 24 fights, was recruited for the November 3rd bout after Sellers' record failed to impress the British Boxing board of Control.

The 31-year-old will climb into the ring with minimal preparation having defeated Henry Saenz just a few weeks before in an IBF fight on October 13th.

"Azzaoui looks a tough fighter. It is never easy taking on someone at short notice. I know he'll be in shape because he was coming off the back of a good win when he took the call to face me," Maccarinelli said.

"But I have to overcome these type of challenges if I'm to cement my position as the best cruiserweight in the world."

The Welshman's original opponent was ruled out after the BBBC deemed Sellers' record of having fought once in the last three years and as "unsuitable" for a world title contender.

The fight will take place in front of a partisan Millennium Stadium crowd in Cardiff as part of the undercard to Joe Calzaghe's super middleweight unification fight against Mikkel Kessler.