Guy
03-04-2009, 07:55 AM
Enzo Maccarinelli has revealed his secret weapon ahead of his interim WBO World Cruiserweight title challenge - a dozen beer barrels. But unfortunately for opponent Ola Afolabi, the Welshman hasn’t been downing them in training, merely using them to improve his strength and conditioning.
Balancing the half full kegs above his ahead has helped to increase his core muscle power, as has beating car tyres over and over again with a sledgehammer.
It was a technique that Big Macc used before his last fight, a two-round demolition of heavyweight Matthew Ellis.
And now he is hoping it will help him to victory over highly dangerous Afolabi at the M.E.N Arena on the big Amir Khan-Marco Antonio Barrera card in Manchester on March 14.
“I’ve tried lifting weights before but it’s not really my kind of thing,” said 28-year-old Maccarinelli, who is 29-2 (22).
“So when a pal of mine suggested something a bit different I jumped at the chance.
“It’s a bit tempting to crack open one of the barrels after a hard day’s training, but I’ll leave that until after the fight.
“I’m desperate to get in the ring and take out all my frustrations on Afolabi.
“2008 was a bit of a disaster after I lost to David Haye and then couldn’t win back my old WBO title.
“But 2009 is going to be my time. I hear that Afolabi is a bit of a nightmare and very dangerous, but that’s just what I want.
“I want to face the best and beat the best, so as far as I’m concerned bring on the 14th. I am going to unleash hell once I get between those ropes.”
Balancing the half full kegs above his ahead has helped to increase his core muscle power, as has beating car tyres over and over again with a sledgehammer.
It was a technique that Big Macc used before his last fight, a two-round demolition of heavyweight Matthew Ellis.
And now he is hoping it will help him to victory over highly dangerous Afolabi at the M.E.N Arena on the big Amir Khan-Marco Antonio Barrera card in Manchester on March 14.
“I’ve tried lifting weights before but it’s not really my kind of thing,” said 28-year-old Maccarinelli, who is 29-2 (22).
“So when a pal of mine suggested something a bit different I jumped at the chance.
“It’s a bit tempting to crack open one of the barrels after a hard day’s training, but I’ll leave that until after the fight.
“I’m desperate to get in the ring and take out all my frustrations on Afolabi.
“2008 was a bit of a disaster after I lost to David Haye and then couldn’t win back my old WBO title.
“But 2009 is going to be my time. I hear that Afolabi is a bit of a nightmare and very dangerous, but that’s just what I want.
“I want to face the best and beat the best, so as far as I’m concerned bring on the 14th. I am going to unleash hell once I get between those ropes.”