
Revitalised Macklin knows career on the line
Shaun Brown
08/04/2016 10:16am
Matthew Macklin understands why Brian Rose is the favourite going into their sink or swim middleweight bout on Saturday night. Recent performances from the 33-year-old three-time world title challenger have not suggested he is capable of summoning up the displays that pushed Felix Sturm to the brink and gave the gifted Sergio Martinez a hard night’s work at Madison Square Garden in 2012. Macklin (34-6, 22 KOs), now trained by his younger brother Seamus, is honest enough to admit that defeat to Rose (28-3-1, 8 KOs) at London’s O2 Arena will put a 40-fight, 15 year career into retirement. “It’s been a rollercoaster,” Macklin told Boxing Monthly when he looked back on his career to date. “Lots of ups and downs. I’ve had a lot more highs and lows. I’m glad the lows happened as well because it makes you appreciate the highs, the good times and it builds character, the mental toughness."