Out In The Cold - El Maachi yearns for Prizefighter chance

BoxRec News correspondent Paul Foley feels the frustration of a fighter who is on the outside looking in.

2010. A new year, yet for Yassine El Maachi it’s an old and sad story.

Since 2008 the Moroccan showman has reeled off several impressive performances, especially the latest which caught the eyes of Barry McGuigan and an ITV 4 audience last November when El Maachi stopped Alex Spitko in three rounds. But the Hackney based switch hitter is still feeling the freeze even though the snow has now thawed.

Having been a professional since 2001, Yassine yearns for a break at the big time but despite winning his last seven fights he has once again been hit by the force of his own talent.

With a light-middleweight Prizefighter tournament on the horizon next month  (February 26 at York Hall, Bethnal Green), El Maachi was one man mentioned for the line up but the sound of his name caused several other top contenders to reconsider entering, according to the Moroccan.

Yassine claims the likes of European champion Ryan Rhodes, British and Commonwealth title holder Anthony Small, Matthew Hall and Thomas McDonagh (who was the last person to defeat El Maachi, on points in March 2008) all turned their back on an opportunity for the £35,000 prize at the thought of standing toe-to-toe with him.

“People are running from me, if I’m just a journeyman who gets tired after three rounds put me in with somebody,” demands El Maachi.

Having had many conversations with Yassine I know him to be upbeat and entertaining. But whilst speaking with him on the telephone this time, I could hear the sounds of frustration ringing out and it’s not surprising when you consider how fighters with a lot less talent and current form get shots at titles.

“I’m cheesed off,” he confirmed.

But Yassine hasn’t closed the door though if the call for Prizefighter does finally come.

“If they (the Prizefighter promoters, Barry Hearn’s Matchroom, want to sell tickets I’ll be there.” (El Maachi means he’s ready to go)

But they are not the only ones sounding him out. According to El Maachi, hot prospect James DeGale is interested in sparring with him.

Surely Yassine, who feels he is at his best boxing at welterweight (10st 7lbs) couldn’t be about to share a ring with an Olympic gold medalist super-middleweight (12st) could he?

“I will fight DeGale but I am not interested in sparring. They only want to spar to see how good I am and then there might be a fight between us.”

It’s evident that all Yassine wants to do is take on the best. A £35,000 purse would be like winning the lottery for a man who has so far fought for peanuts. One ticket and a few numbers change’s someone’s life forever. One big chance could do the same for him.

El Maachi swiftly brought our time to a close as he was preparing to head for Brixton and train some youngsters to attempt to steer them away from gangs and guns.

There’s no purse. There’s no promoter.If your name is Yassine, that sounds a little too familiar.