Boxing story by Vinnie Mitchell, Thu, 22 Dec 2005 01:04:00 GMT


LONDON - Johnny Nelson will finally slug it out with Welshman Enzo Maccarinelli for the World Boxing Organization cruiserweight championship on March 4 in Manchester.

This fight will be a prelude to the unification bout between Joe Calzaghe and Jeff Lacy. "Enzo's one of the most exciting prospects in the division but I'm afraid it will all end in tears for him. He's a hungry young kid who fancies his chances but his eagerness will be his downfall," said Nelson, who is undefeated since 1995. "It will be man against boy, master against student. He must realize that in my time I have mixed and dealt with a better, harder and more experienced class of opponent than he has ever faced."

On his part, Maccarinelli has been itching for a fight with Nelson since the past two years. Commenting on the showdown, he said, "He has always backed off from fighting me and has come up with excuses that I'm not experienced enough and that he could knock me out." He added that this was the real business and that he would knock out Nelson into retirement. Fight Promoter Frank Warren was delighted with the fact that the gladiators will finally have a bout, "I am delighted to add the fight to an already super show," he said. "Enzo is the bright young star in the division with a massive punch who feels he is ready to challenge Johnny."

The 39-year-old Nelson has successfully defended his title on 13 occasions after he won it in 1999 by defeating Carl Thompson.

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