WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe has backed compatriot Enzo Maccarinelli to beat Johnny Nelson when the two meet early in 2006. WBO cruiserweight king Nelson must face Maccarinelli within six months, late January or early February likely dates.
"Old father time is beginning to catch up with Nelson while Enzo's on the way up," said Calzaghe.
"I see parallels with when I stepped up to beat champion Chris Eubank. Enzo will be Wales' next world champion."
Swansea fighter Maccarinelli, 25, holds the lightly regarded WBU belt.
 | WALES' WORLD CHAMPIONS Percy Jones (World flyweight champion, 1914) Freddie Welsh (World lightweight champion, 1914-17) Jimmy Wilde (World flyweight champion, 1916-23) Howard Winstone (WBC featherweight champion, 1968) Steve Robinson (WBO featherweight champion, 1993-95) Robbie Regan (IBF flyweight champion, 1995, WBO bantamweight champion, 1996) Barry Jones (WBO super featherweight champion, 1997) Joe Calzaghe (WBO super middleweight champion, 1997-) Enzo Maccarinelli holds the lightly regarded WBU cruiserweight title |
Sheffield's Nelson, 38, has made 13 successful defences of the more recognised WBO title, and many believe that he will have too much nous for the young Welshman.
"It's youth against experience, but Johnny Nelson has the style to make anyone look bad," said former three-weight world champion Duke McKenzie.
Ex-WBA flyweight champion Barry McGuigan was hedging his bets, saying:
"Enzo's the most destructive puncher I've seen in a long time, but he hasn't had the experience.
"He's only gone 12 rounds once and he's never been in with anyone as cagey as Johnny."
MMIX
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