 Nelson wants to bow out on top |
WBO cruiserweight holder Johnny Nelson wants to follow the example of Lennox Lewis by retiring as a world champion. The 39-year-old puts his belt on the line in Manchester on 4 March against 25-year-old Welshman Enzo Maccarinelli.
"I'll retire with belt and nobody will take it away from me unless they chop my arms and legs off," said Nelson.
"For me to do a Lennox Lewis and walk away as champion means more than anything to me. It means a lot more to me than beating up Enzo Maccarinelli."
Nelson still hopes to fight at the top level for a couple more years.
 |  I can guarantee that I will be training like a mad man for this fight |
"I believe I have got another two years left at this level but I am not so deeply in love with the sport that I will not be able to walk away," he said.
"There are a lot of fresh fighters around and I know realistically at 39 I cannot carry on for a whole lot longer.
"Enzo should not think I am under-estimating him or dismissing him. I can guarantee that I will be training like a mad man for this fight."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 