Haye-Maccarinelli fight falters
Fight fans denied an intriguing all-British affair
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Monday, 17, Dec 2007 10:07
A potential clash between WBC and WBA cruiserweight champion David Haye and his WBO counterpart Enzo Maccarinelli has fallen apart.
The prospect of the two British fighters facing each other had looked increasingly likely in recent weeks with both camps apparently keen to make a deal.
But Haye revealed in the South London Press that he will now move up to try and make his name in the heavyweight division after Maccarinelli snubbed his final purse offer.
"We offered Enzo £500,000 and the chance to keep his WBO title even if he lost to me. But it was immediately declined," Haye said.
Haye has admitted he struggles to make the cruiserweight limit and that he is ready to concede the titles he won from Frenchman Jean-Marc Mormeck in November to have a shot at the sport's glamour division.
The pair's failure to come to an accord comes as a surprise after Maccarinelli had welcomed news that Haye was preparing to table an offer.
"It's fantastic news for me, it'd be the best fight in Britain but we'll see if Haye delivers," he told BBC Sport.
The Swansea man may now turn his attentions to IBF champion Steve Cunningham in an attempt to dominate the cruiserweight category in Haye's absence.