Enzo Maccarinelli's bid to become the WBA light-heavyweight champion has ended in failure after he suffered defeat at the hands of Jurgen Braehmer.

The Welshman's chances were immediately hampered in the opening round when he suffered a swollen eye after clashing heads with his opponent, who also picked up a cut.

It soon became apparent that the condition of Maccarinelli's eye was worsening by the minute, and he was informed by his trainer Gary Lockett that he was considering withdrawing him from the fight.

Maccarinelli fought on, taking several accurate shots from the German, but by the end of the fifth, the 33-year-old's eye has swollen shut, which resulted in Lockett throwing in the towel.

The defeat, Maccarinelli's seventh in 45 bouts, could see him retire from the sport.