Mathew Macklin limbers up for title defence

Nov 3 2008 By Ian Johnson

MATTHEW Macklin reckons his tough win against Liverpool-based Serbian Geard Ajetovic was a darn sight harder than facing big Brummie rival Wayne Elcock for the British title.

That is hopefully the next Big Battle of Brum in the New Year. It all depends on the Boxing Board of Control who will decide later this month who Elcock will fight for the next defence of the Lonsdale Belt.

In the meantime, Elcock defends the crown for the second time at Nottingham on December 6 against Irishman Jason McKay and is expected to be successful. It’s a voluntary defence after all.

In any case Macklin feels that his win against Ajetovic at the Villa Events Centre on Friday will make him firm favourite to challenge for the title whoever is champion.

He also thinks he will be firm favourite to take over the Lonsdale Belt. He said: “Beating Ajetovic was a good result and to do it by such a decent margin, 97-94, was outstanding.

“Having said that I thought the fight went very much as I expected although there were a couple of things I probably should have done differently.

“I knew I would have to do all of the work and maybe I should have done better.

“He kept his guard very high and it was difficult to penetrate and when I attacked his body he was quick to lower his defences.

“Maybe I should have taken the fight to him a bit more and stood inside a bit more.

“Because I had to make the pace it allowed him to come at me in bursts and he did hurt me a couple of times but not enough to cause any serious damage.

“In the end it was no more difficult than I expected.

“I boxed to a game plan and it worked well for me even if it wasn’t spectacular.

“When I go in against Elcock there will be a lot of hype and I must not get carried away on what will be an electric night. Learning to box to a game plan is important.

“Elcock will not be the same. He will come at me and I will find that a lot easier than Ajetovic,” he added.