IRELAND’S MATTHEW MACKLIN returned to victory at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena last night with a second round stoppage of Hungarian Ferenc Albert.
Having been defeated by Jorge Sebastien Heiland in Dublin last November, The Tipperary Tornado recorded the 32nd professional victory of his career via a body shot.
“It was nice to get a win and in Birmingham, I haven’t boxed here for six years,” Macklin told Sky Sports. “I think last year I probably trained the hardest that I’ve ever trained in my life and very little rest through one thing or another.
“Dates kept getting put back, no-one’s fault that’s boxing it happens, but by the time I fought in November, I had trained so hard, for so long, the body was just tired.
“On the night of the fight, I felt old and I’m past it, the long career has taken its toll because for the first four rounds against Heiland I felt in control could see everything he was doing but after four rounds I just felt like there was nothing there.
The only thing I could put it down to, was either a long career taking its toll or I was over-trained, jaded from being in the gym all year.
“When I analysed everything and had a good rest, didn’t’ rush the decision and thought about everything, I thought it was very, very possible, most likely that I was just burnt out.
“So bearing in mind that you are retired a long time, I don’t want a year down the line thinking ‘argh it was that, let’s come back’ I’d rather know now.
“So I had a good rest and spoke to Eddie (Hearn) and there are plenty of options.”
Meanwhile, British heavyweight Anhony Joshua clocked up his 12th knockout from as many professional fights in convincing fashion at the same venue.
The 2012 Olympic gold medallist made light work of Raphael Zumbano Love — laying the Brazilian out in the second round. Joshua will be expecting a tougher fight when he takes on American Kevin Johnson in London on 30 May.
https://vine.co/v/em1vKWQH1ae
In Texas, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez floored James Kirkland three times and claimed a third round TKO thanks to a devastating right hook. It was the 45th victory of the Mexican light-middleweight’s career. Watch the highlights below:
Ouch.
https://vine.co/v/emru15LLvih
