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Public Enemy · Joined: 17 Sep 2006 Posts: 171 Location: London

FROM BBC SPORT

David Haye and Enzo Maccarinelli will meet in an all-British world cruiserweight title fight on 8 March.
WBO champion Maccarinelli retained his title last month, beating Mohamed Azzaoui in the fourth round at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Londoner Haye had to get up from the canvas to sensationally stop Jean Marc Mormeck in the seventh round and claim the WBC and WBA titles in November.

Promoter Frank Warren said a venue will be announced at a later date.

I'm delighted that Haye has finally put pen to paper and the fight is happening," said Swansea-born Maccarinelli.

"There is nothing like a big fight between the top two British fighters in the division to get the public excited.

"I believe that this will rival, if not better the Nigel Benn-Chris Eubank epics. We are both big punchers but I believe that I am the hardest hitter out of the two of us. Once I drop Haye he won't be getting up."

Haye said: "This will be the modern day Benn-Eubank. I'm glad that politics have been put to one side and that Frank Warren and my manager Adam Booth have made the fight happen.

"I feel that it is my duty as world champion to fight the very best and I guarantee that I will knock out Maccarinelli to convince the few doubters that I am the best cruiserweight that Britain has ever produced."

Haye had said he was "bending over backwards" to keep his weight under the 200lbs cruiserweight limit to face Maccarinelli.

And manager Booth said Haye is determined to ensure his weight will not be an issue in March.

"I won't say that's it's easy for him to make cruiserweight because it's not," Booth told BBC Radio Five Live.

"Making weight makes a man miserable and that's why he's looking forward to going up to heavyweight so he can enjoy eating and the training on a daily basis.

"But at this moment, to get this fight done, he's prepared to live the life of denial one more time."

Maccarinelli has stopped 21 of his 29 opponents with 16 coming inside the first three rounds, while Haye has halted 19 of his 21 opponents early with 14 inside the first three rounds.