WBO Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Maccarinelli (27-1, 20 KOs) has responded to the public challenge of KO artist Darnell “Ding-a-Ling Man” Wilson (22-5, 19 KOs).

Wilson and his co-promoters, Dino Duva of Duva Boxing and Sal Musumeci of Final Forum, issued a release last week, daring opponent-shopping Maccarinelli to face him on the November 3 Calzaghe vs. Kessler undercard at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

In a sharply worded story in the South Wales Evening Post that begins “Wbo cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli has responded to loudmouth Darnell Wilson's criticism by labelling the American one dimensional and one-paced.” Maccarinelli goes on to question Wilson’s worth as a challenger and points out his five career losses.

“Who the hell has he ever beaten?” asked an annoyed Duva. “Outside of a decision over Wayne Braithwaite, his opponent list is like a graveyard. The “Ding-a-Ling Man” is one of the top challengers in the world. He’s fought and beaten many of the world’s best 200-lb fighters and always in spectacular fashion. Maccarinelli has a lot of proving left to do before he can start talking about who is worthy of facing him. Darnell Wilson would be going into this fight as one of the hottest fighters in the entire sport. If Maccarinelli thinks he deserves to be called champion, he should agree to face Darnell immediately and stop posturing in his local paper.”

Duva says he’s yet to hear from Maccarinelli’s people, but is hopeful their man has the “champion’s mentality” to take on the most worthy challengers. “He (Maccarinelli) has said in the past that he’s looking to fight the best. Well, the Ding-a-Ling Man is calling him out right now. Is he going to act like a champion or continue the silly talk while avoiding him? Just getting in the ring with Darnell takes courage, so let’s see if this guy can back up the talking he’s doing and make this fight happen.”