Alexander Frenkel-the great wasted cruiser

[BoztheMadman]

Alexander Frenkel would have surely been a world champion if he hadn't retired suddenly, at the age of 26. This 6'1 cruiserweight had both the punching power and the skills, as well as the chin, to succeed at the highest level. He is most famous for knocking out Enzo Maccarinelli to win the European title in 2010. However, not long thereafter, he retired, for unknown reasons. 

Frenkel was born 4 March 1985 in Kirovohrad, Ukraine, then still a part of Soviet Union. Today, that city is called Kropyvnytskyi, after a famous theatre writer and composer. Frenkel is Jewish, hence his German last name. He moved to Germany to start his pro career in 2006. In his 15th fight, May 2008, he won the IBF Youth cruiser title by KO1 against Cory Phelps, ironically in Nuremberg (where the anti-Semitic laws were first created and legislated in the 1930's). In November 2009, he stopped the former IBF-champion Kelvin Davis by impressive 1st-round TKO, again in Nuremberg. After beating the American fringe contender Michael Simms by UD8, he got a crack at the European title, which was held by the 6'4 Welshman Enzo Maccarinelli, who had just won it. The fight was held at the LG Arena in Birmingham and the taller Welshman boxed well and landed many punches, but could not really hurt the tough Ukrainian. And then, suddenly, in the 7th round, Frenkel saw a perfect opening and hit Maccarinelli with a perfect left hook which dropped him hard. Even though he beat the count, he was in bad shape but the ref still let him continue. After just three more punches, Enzo Mac hit the deck again and could not get up this time-he was out cold. 

After this stunning and sensational victory, the sky seemed to be the limit for Frenkel. Even though Maccarinelli definitely was chinny, few had knocked him out so fast and with so few punches. This knockout probably ended the Welshman's prime, but for Frenkel-this would turn out to be it. He was stripped in October 2011, due to inactivity. Shortly thereafter, the news came that Frenkel would not return to the ring and so it remained. His record remained an impressive 23-0 with 18 ko's. Whatever the reasons for such an early retirement at the age of 26, it was a great shame, because Frenkel looked to be destined for greatness. He was both a physically powerful specimen, had the big punch and also the chin and the necessary boxing skills to be a world champion. We can only imagine how the landscape of the division would have looked with him still in the picture. In my opinion, he would beat Marco Huck and him vs Lebedev would be a 50-50 fight. But sadly, we will never find out. 

[LondonRingRules]

--- Veeerily interesting Boz. 

I vaguely recall the name because Enzo was such a big deal then. Not to get into stereotypes, but Jews in general have a high achieving cultural background, and could be this being boxing he was being shorted on his payscale that DKing perfected, and so bailed. Plenty of lucrative opportunities in the EU states for a clever, enterprising feller.

[WelshDevilRob]

I remember him shocking Enzo and it was some Knockout. Always wondered what happened, as the European scene was strong back then, both in the UK and Germany.

It's a mystery abit like US Heavyweight JD Chapman. Though Chapman reappeared in 2021, after a 13-year abscence.

[BoztheMadman]

On 3/31/2023 at 4:01 PM, LondonRingRules said:

--- Veeerily interesting Boz. 

I vaguely recall the name because Enzo was such a big deal then. Not to get into stereotypes, but Jews in general have a high achieving cultural background, and could be this being boxing he was being shorted on his payscale that DKing perfected, and so bailed. Plenty of lucrative opportunities in the EU states for a clever, enterprising feller.

Maybe. Thank you for that insight, I never thought about it.