Looking Back at the Highs and Lows in the Career of Enzo Maccarinelli

Somehow, it always seemed Enzo Maccarinelli's career would end in dramatic fashion.

The Welshman's late renaissance came to a sudden halt on Friday, as his bid to win the vacant European cruiserweight title came to a quick and painful end.

Defeat to Dmytro Kucher in Round 1 at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, proved to be the end of the line for Enzo.

Not long after climbing off the canvas, Maccarinelli announced his retirement via Twitter: "Sorry guys felt OK in there then got tagged absolutely devastated I had to end my career like that."

After 49 pro bouts, the former world champion hangs up his gloves with a 41-8 (33 KOs) record.

Here, Bleacher Report looks back on some of the highs and lows—and there were plenty of each—during Maccarinelli's time in the paid ranks.

High: Becoming World Champion (July 2006)

Maccarinelli claimed the vacant WBU cruiserweight title by beating Bruce Scott in June 2003.

He surrendered his grip on that belt three years later for a chance to become the interim WBO champion.

By beating Marcelo Fabian Dominguez, Maccarinelli put himself in pole position for the shot at the holder of the full title, Englishman Johnny Nelson.

However, the anticipated bout between the young, hungry fighter and the wise old champion never happened.

Nelson suffered a serious knee injury and was forced to retire, meaning Maccarinelli's status was upgraded without him having to throw a punch.

Low: Defeat to David Haye (March 2008)

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David Haye emphatically ended Maccarinelli's reign.

After three successful defences of his world title, Maccarinelli secured a unification showdown with David Haye.

The pair promised fireworks in the buildup to a bout staged at the O2 Arena in London on March 8, 2008.

The fight actually ended up starting in the early hours of the following day, allowing it to be televised to an American audience.

The opening round was cagey, but things soon livened up in the second. After Maccarinelli had suffered a cut, Haye dropped him with a huge right hand.

Maccarinelli did well to carry on, but he was unable to come through the storm.

After adding the WBO title to the WBA and WBC belts he already had in his possession, Haye confirmed his intention to step up and campaign at heavyweight.

Per Ben Dirs of BBC Sport, he said: "A lot of people said Enzo could beat me, so this is what had to happen before I moved up to heavyweight and became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world."

High: Becoming European Champion (April 2010)

Off the back of the disappointing defeat to Haye, Maccarinelli won just once in his next three outings.

His bid to become interim WBO champion was ended by a knockout defeat against Ola Afolabi in Manchester, England, in 2009. Returning to the same city four months later, he lost to Denis Lebedev by TKO.

Maccarinelli considered his future after the two stoppage losses, but opted to carry on fighting.

He rebuilt his confidence with two quick wins before going up against Russian Alexander Kotlobay for the vacant European cruiserweight title.

Fighting on the road in Saint Petersburg, Russia, the Welshman emphatically claimed the strap by stopping his opponent in Round 1.

While there were concerns about his chin, Maccarinelli again proved he carried enough power to wobble anyone in the division.

Low: Dethroned by Alexander Frenkel (September 2010)

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Maccarinelli was on the wrong end of a heavy knockdown against Alexander Frenkel.

Maccarinelli's reign as European champion proved to be brief.

Just under five months after knocking out Kotlobay, Enzo's first defence saw him go up against the unbeaten Alexander Frenkel in Birmingham, England.

There was not much to split the pair after six rounds. However, the seventh saw Maccarinelli fail to spot a counter left hook that caught him flush on the chin.

That solitary punch didn't finish the fight, as the unsteady champion was allowed to climb off the canvas and continue fighting.

Piling on the pressure knowing a stoppage was imminent, Frenkel landed another big left hook, one that levelled his rival with 30 seconds remaining in the round.

Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook noted in his fight report: "Frankly, if he [Maccarinelli] doesn't get someone out within three rounds, he's always in serious trouble. Once his gas tank empties, he's ripe for the picking, and Frenkel showed that again tonight."

High: The Rematch with Ovill McKenzie (August 2013)

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Maccarinelli gained revenge against Ovill McKenzie with victory in their second bout.

Maccarinelli's career was put on hold for six months after he tested positive for methylhexaneamine after beating Shane McPhilbin in March, 2012, to become British cruiserweight champion.

After a six-month suspension, he decided to continue his career down at light heavyweight.

His first fight back after serving the ban ended in controversy. Challenging Ovill McKenzie for the Commonwealth strap, Maccarinelli was stopped in Round 2.

Referee Ian John-Lewis apologised afterwards for his premature decision, while the champion declared himself happy to do it all again in a rematch.

After a knee injury to McKenzie led to a delay, the second bout eventually took place at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales, on August 17, 2013.

Despite suffering two cuts, Maccarinelli found a way to stop McKenzie in Round 11.

Low: Losing to Jurgen Brahmer (April 2014)

In his quest to become a two-weight world champion, Maccarinelli travelled to Germany to take on WBA light heavyweight king Jurgen Brahmer.

The 175-pound limit stretched the challenger, although his conditioning didn't end up being his downfall.

Instead, he had to retire after Round 5 due to injury. With his right eye swollen shut, Maccarinelli was told by his trainer, Gary Lockett, that he could not continue.

The damage had occurred late in the opening three minutes. By the end of Round 2, the eye had completely closed.

Per Gareth A Davies of the Telegraph, Maccarinelli said after the loss: "I'm not going to say I would have won, but it would have been a lot more competitive. The truth is I couldn't see anything after the first round."

"I think it was a clash of heads. I couldn't see and we just tried to gamble and I think I hurt him a couple of times. I would have done a lot better with two eyes."

High: Facing Roy Jones Jr. in Russia (December 2015)

Ivan Sekretarev/Associated Press

Maccarinelli emphatically stopped Roy Jones Jr. in Russia.

Having opted to move back up to cruiserweight, Maccarinelli seized the opportunity to travel to Moscow, Russia, and face Roy Jones Jr.

At 35, the Swansea fighter was the younger man as he took on a faded legend who had relocated to Europe to continue his career.

Chris O'Brien wrote for Boxing News: "The fact the Welshman entered as a significant underdog with the bookies was farcical. Almost 12 years Enzo’s senior, Jones Jr. is rapidly approaching his 47th birthday. He is a shadow of his former formidable self."

Predictably, Jones Jr. could not cope with his opponent's power.

Maccarinelli finished the fight in Round 4, as a heavy right hook sent the American falling face-first to the canvas.

It was a notable name to add to the CV. It was also a nasty reminder that sometimes fighters—even ones as great and gifted as Jones Jr.—can be the last to admit that they're finished.

Low: The Last Hurrah vs. Dmytro Kucher (June 2016)

Victory over Jones Jr. paved the way for Maccarinelli to get a shot at the vacant European belt at cruiserweight.

Actually, an injury to McKenzie opened the door for him to face Dmytro Kucher for the title.

Maccarinelli had initially been booked to cover the event at ringside for television channel BoxNation—only to then be informed he could fight in the main event instead.

Despite taking the fight on relatively short notice, hopes were high he could get his hands on the strap for a second time in his career.

Yet such thoughts were emphatically ended when he failed to spot a left hook from the heavy-handed Ukrainian late in Round 1.

Temporarily stunned, he took two more solid shots before hitting the canvas. While he beat the count, Maccarinelli was in no fit state to continue.

A career full of ups and downs was over. Thankfully, he has walked away at just the right time.

Thanks for the memories, Enzo.