Macklin: I’ll give the performance of my career
MATT HOPING IT’LL BE THIRD TIME LUCKY
MATT MACKLIN is ready to conquer the world after years of soul- searching.
The Brummie, 31, makes his third world title challenge in Connecticut on Saturday night when he challenges fearsome WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.
Macklin has come a long way since losing an epic British light- middleweight title fight against Jamie Moore, when he ended up in hospital.
After that 2006 defeat he struggled to get back in the title picture.
Macklin, who has won 29 of his 33 bouts, said: “There was a lot of frustration and I did a lot of soul- searching after losing to Jamie.
“But I stuck at it and now I’m headlining big cards on HBO and about to have my third world title fight.
“I’m definitely going to put all the hardships behind me and give the performance of my career.”
Crack
Things began to look up for Macklin after he became European champ and challenged then WBA king Felix Sturm in Germany two years ago.
A controversial points defeat cost him glory, but Macklin’s display earned him a crack at the world’s top middleweight Sergio Martinez in March 2012.
Argentinian ace Martinez won in 11 rounds – but Macklin put in another great performance, flooring the WBC champ before he was pulled out by trainer Buddy McGirt. Unbeaten Golovkin is one of boxing’s rising stars, having won all 26 professional contests, 23 by KO.
Macklin added: “I’m a better fighter for those experiences – it will be third time lucky for me.
“Style- wise, Sergio was a nightmare. As good a fighter and, impressive as Gennady is, this is different.
“Sergio is a southpaw, he moves and is a counter- puncher.
“Gennady is more orthodox. He hits harder and is stronger but probably not as quick as Sergio. It will be a completely different fight. I won’t have to go looking for him.”
Since losing to Martinez, Macklin’s only action has been a one- round blast- out of Joachim Alcine last September.
Action
He would have preferred more action, admitting: “Having not boxed much in the last year isn’t ideal.
“But, at the end of the day, I can’t turn down world title fights – and this is a contest I really fancy.”