FRANCISCO ALVAREZ STEPS IN TO FACE ENZO MACCARINELLI

The undercard for the Amir Khan- Oisin Fagan fight has just been turned upside down as Johnathan Banks has withdrawn due to an ankle injury. Enzo Maccarinelli will now face Puerto Rico's Francisco Alvarez for the WBO cruiserweight title. Ranked 15th in the world, Alvarez is considered a tough competitor and should display the style he learned fighting as a light-heavy. His record stands at won 11 with one loss. ROCKY IVIn a recent interview Enzo Maccarinelli declared that his loss to David Haye galvanized him to re-enter the cruiserweight division and has given him a whole new perspective on boxing. He has also started a Rocky IV-like training regiment that has him chopping wood and dragging tires around. Presumably he is also climbing mountains without equipment and then shouting "Drago!" Once he reaches the summit. Odds are set to be released closer to the actual fight time, but as it currently stands, Maccarinelli is considered to be the favourite, seemingly as Alvarez has had so little prep time. Additionally, Maccarinelli's management is said to be eyeing up his next prospect for a high-stakes bout. Herbie Hide is supposedly the name being bandied about at the moment. BETTING TIPSThe way the bout stands right now indicates that Maccarinelli should come out swinging in the earlier rounds and I think that he may score an early knockdown in the 2nd or 3rd round. I'm backing Maccarinelli to win in the later rounds, but I'm confident that it won't go the distance.