ENZO MACCARINELLI
"I WILL TEAR HIS HEAD OFF!"

This is the biggest British fight in a decade. Sum it up for us...

It's not often you see two fighters at the top of their game, who are both world champions and willing to risk it all. I can't put into words how much I am up for this fight. It's the bout I've always wanted and I've finally got it. But that's me all over; I'll put it all on the line to get to the top.

What makes you sure you're going to beat him?

He isn't prepared for someone like me who simply isn't afraid of him. Don't get me wrong - he did well to get back up against Jean Marc Mormeck and turned the fight around in front of the Frenchman's fans. But if I put David Haye down, he won't be getting up off that canvas.

Even though you're fighting in London's O2 Arena?

I'm coming to Haye's backyard and I'm prepared for war. The O2 holds 25,000 and I hope they boo me to the rafters until the roof falls in. Not one of those boos is going to help him. It's just him, the referee and me. That's how I like it.

Have you been impressed with the progress Haye has made?

Don't get me wrong, the man is good and he's quick. But he's not as good or as quick as he thinks he is. He's been telling people for years he'd easily knock me out, so come 8 March, come and fucking knock me out, David.

Is it true that you and Haye secretly get on?

I've spoken to Haye a few times and he's never disrespected me as I have never disrespected him. But that goes out of the window on fight-night while I get on with tearing his head off.

You've been Wales' other fighter for a long time. Is this the night that finally changes?

I totally understand what you mean. I have been riding on the coattails of Joe Calzaghe for a while. But the way I look at it, I've been getting more press than Joe did at my age and that is thanks largely to being on his undercard for so long. Now I am being touted as the next Prince of Wales - and I love it.

DAVID HAYE
"HE'S GONNA GET HURT!"

So this fight is going to explode, right, David?

It's going to be like a car crash. Everyone knows we punch really hard and we've both been knocked down by lesser fighters in the past. But my career hinges on this bout and that's the sort of pressure I thrive on.

Should we be genuinely worried for one of you?

Someone's going to get hurt, someone's going to get knocked out and it's not going to be me. This fight won't go the distance - his chin's not good enough. There'll be so much heat early doors. He'll go down and stay down, or I'll lay him out - one of the two. It will be brutal.

You have cornrows right now, but what about a new hairstyle for the new fight?

I might go with the Afro. There's never been a great fighter who's sported a good old 'fro, so I reckon now is the time.

Your promoter Frank Maloney wears a Union Jack suit for your fights. Embarrassing or inspirational?

That was my idea. He wore it for Lennox Lewis fights and I actually phoned and told him to wear it. It worked for Lewis; I thought it would work for me. And it did.

You're a Bermondsey boy. What has South London got that North London hasn't?

Fighters. South London has got me and Lloyd Honeyghan. Two undisputed World Champions. We've got a bit more edge down South.

And you're an ex-model. When you were fighting, did you used to scream: "Not the face!"

Ha ha. No. I did lose a few jobs though because of black eyes. It would drive people nuts. Halfway through a shoot that lasted a few days, I would turn up, having just fought, with swollen eyes and bust lips. People went crazy and wouldn't work with me again.

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