Enzo Maccarinelli v Mark Hobson
Enzo Maccarinelli v Mark Hobson
The Swansea puncher landed a crashing overhand right which dumped Hobson to the canvas and despite clambering groggily to his feet the contest was waved off after just one minute 11 seconds.
Maccarinelli had been stretched to a close points win after 12 gruelling rounds in his first meeting against the Sheffield man at the same arena in March.
And there was every reason to expect another tough encounter against Hobson, who had earned his second chance after former champion Johnny Nelson announced his retirement due to injury.
But 26-year-old Maccarinelli is rocketing through the ranks as he proved with his dramatic ninth-round stoppage over durable Argentinian Marcelo Dominguez in July.
Meanwhile Hobson’s form had appeared to dip as he was forced to climb off the canvas to see off his wily British cruiserweight rival John Keeton in their title fight in Barnsley.
But still, few could have expected such a dramatic start for Maccarinelli, who was clearly in no mood to engage in a war similar to that experienced by his gym-mate Joe Calzaghe earlier.
Maccarinelli insisted during the pre-fight build-up he had improved by over 50% since his last outing and he moved from his corner looking ready for a quick finish at the first bell.
Meanwhile Hobson looked tentative and was immediately rocked back by a right hand and troubled by another which had him frantically attempting to cover up.
Merciless Maccarinelli was in no mood to hang around and jumped in with another clubbing right hand which caught Hobson on the top of his head and signalled his speedy demise.
Maccarinelli said: “Mark is a fighter I have got much respect for, and I have still got the same respect. Last time I rushed out and didn’t give him credit, he’s a tough, tough man.
“This time I didn’t start so fast, I just bided my time, saw my opportunity, the right hand came over the top and like we’ve all seen against Dominguez whenever I hit the chin they will go down.”
