WBA regular light heavyweight champion Juergen Braehmer (43-2, 31 KOs) made the first defense of his title a successful one by stopping courageous Enzo Maccarinelli (38-7, 30 KOs) after round six at the Stadthalle in Rostock, Germany Saturday night.
Braehmer, a southpaw, stung Maccarinelli with jabs in the opening stanza. Maccarinelli, the taller fighter by four inches, tried to time Braehmer with right hands. Braehmer connected with a crisp combination. Midway through the round, Braehmmer began to bleed from a cut over his left eye. A combination at the bell hurt Maccarinelli. His right eye was severely damaged by Braehmer's left.
Maccarinelli boxed bravely in round two. His eye was already closed. Many at ringside couldn’t bear to look at the grotesquely swollen eye. He admitted to his corner after round three that couldn’t see a thing, but he wouldn’t quit.
Braehmer continued to pummel him with jabs and uppercuts. Maccarinelli landed a smashing right hand. In round four, the half-blind Maccarinelli looked for the equalizer. A left hook shook Braehmer. The champion absorbed the punch and went to the body. Two left hands crashed against the misshapen face of Maccarnelli.
Maccarinelli’s corner advised the fighter that round five would be his last. The left side of his face was also swollen.
The ringside doctor inspected Maccarinelli’s eye for the second time. He allowed the fight to continue. Maccarinelli needed distance, but Braehmer smothered him. Maccarinelli landed a left hook to the body. Maccarinelli’s trainer Gary Lockett told the former cruiserweight champion that he couldn’t allow the fight to continue.
The fighters embraced and shook hands.
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