 Sheffield's Nelson has defended his WBO belt 12 times |
Johnny Nelson has been ordered to defend his WBO cruiserweight title against Italy's Vincenzo Cantatore. Cantatore is a former WBC champion and rated in the top 10 by the WBO, WBC, WBA and the IBF.
Nelson said: "This is what British boxing needs right now - a real champion fighting a genuine challenger in a legitimate world title fight."
"I am the best cruiserweight in the world and given the chance I can unify the division."
There had been talk of Nelson fighting Wales' WBU champion Enzo Maccarinelli later this year, but Nelson dismissed the suggestion.
"Maybe my last defence in Germany frightened him off, but I have to defend against my mandatory challenger on or before 3 December and that will take preference.
"Cantatore's people have the 27 November in Rome pencilled in but I can't see my promoter Frank Warren letting this one slip.
"At 37 -years-old I am still looking for the career defining fight.
"This will be the 13th defence of my title and it's going to be an unlucky night for Cantatore."
The Sheffield fighter's last defence was a seventh-round destruction of Rudiger May in September.
MMIX
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