Fighting On The Inside Part Two: Yassine El Macchi

BoxRec correspondent Paul Foley gives the lowdown on the boxer who styles himself 'The Showman.'

It’s been a year to remember for unsung welterweight Yassine El Macchi. Since making short work of Kevin Concepcion late last year and having notched up five victories in a row, suddenly the British fight world is at long last waking up and realising that this man is a force to be reckoned with.

Having been given the opportunity to see him at close quarters I am convinced that if the door swings open for a title shot then El Macchi will grab it with both hands

Yassine made short work of his last opponent Alex Spitko stopping him inside three rounds a couple of weeks ago at the Brentwood Centre. But had things not turned out better for him he was already planning on hanging up the gloves at the end of 2009.

“I pay £600 for a licence. I spend money for nothing.”

You can understand why he talks this way when in the past he has been pulled out of bigger fights with the likes of Matthew Hall and Ajose Olusegun at a couple of days notice.

Those cancellations came as a result of being in shape and ready to take on all comers. Once his opponent’s handlers  viewed him sparring, the final bell for the fight was promptly rang.

While at his most recent bout I was impressed with Yassine’s outer ring attitude. The dressing room was a happy yet sober place even in the midst of triumph. His trainer Don Charles said “This is not the time to celebrate.”

And El Macchi was not intending on celebrating in Ricky Hatton style. Unlike Britain’s “Hitman”, Yassine is not a fan of junk food and he prefers a quiet night in with his family. (That’s not a bad idea considering he was training the next morning.)

Mick Hennessy may have found a gem and Yassine says he will be fighting once again on his show against Steve O’Meara for the Southern area light-middleweight title at the York Hall in the new year (January 29th).

What does Yassine think of his challenger(s) “Steve O’Meara is not on my level, I want someone proper. Ryan Rhodes (European champion) is the biggest name in England. Anthony Small is not a big name.” He laughed off Small’s claims that Yassine is just someone he pays to beat up in sparring.

Yassine prepares for fights by training like Spiderman. He combines running with the use of kettle-bells and keeps his waistline trim by eating honey, salad and meat.

El Macchi caught the eye of the ITV team recently. Former WBA featherweight champion Barry McGuigan said, “Yassine is a very talented guy, too good. I really like him, he has great biomechanics, he slips and moves. He’s very hard to match, and has a great chance against Rhodes. He’s very awkward.”

Commentator, John Rawling opined, “I would like to see him get an opportunity. He needs the British public behind him and needs a proper test.”

Three weight world champion Duke Mckenzie weighed in with, “He won’t get the breaks, but would beat the British champion Anthony Small easily. I would take him to Europe and gatecrash the International ratings. He won’t beat Rhodes though. Rhodes is world class.”

Presenter Jim Rosenthal, “I can see why no one wants to fight him.”

These men have been in the ring or sat at ringside for massive occasions and all agree that Macchi is a serious contender. If I were him I would keep on winning and keep on talking because ticket sales play a crucial part in developing a fighter's profile.

And why do people part with their cash to see a fighter?  Either he’s very good in the ring or he has a personality the public love or hate, and Yassine has two of these qualities.

Muhammad Ali once said “I don’t care what the press say about me so long as they are talking about me.”

And who would argue with boxing’s greatest ticket seller ever?