Maccarinelli's career is moving in the right direction

Dominguez, 36, was stopped for the first time in his career by a perfect uppercut as Maccarinelli took the WBO interim title with a ninth-round win.

"I've always had confidence in my power and I showed it against Dominguez," Maccarinelli, 25, told BBC Wales Sport.

"We knew he was strong and I wasn't expecting to finish him with one shot."

WBO title holder Johnny Nelson must now fight Maccarinelli by September or surrender his belt to the Welshman.

If Johnny won't have it, I have got to go straight for a new belt and I have nothing to fear Enzo Maccarinelli

The pair were due to meet last March before 39-year-old Nelson withdrew with the knee injury which threatens to end his career.

And Swansea-man Maccarinelli, who is also the WBU champion, says the constant delays over a possible showdown with Nelson are hindering he career.

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-, IBF super middleweight champion 2006-)

"I didn't really need to take this fight against the number two (Dominguez), but I just love to fight and I am willing to take on whoever my promoter wants me to," added Maccarinelli.

"The Nelson thing has gone on for so long now it is out of my head and I have got to set my sights on new things.

"If Johnny won't have it, I have got to go straight for a new belt and I have nothing to fear."

Promoter Frank Warren said Maccarinelli's next fight will "probably" be on the same night as WBO and IBF super middleweight Joe Calzaghe makes his long-awaited return to the ring.

Warren said: "Enzo's had a tough fight. He boxed phenomenally well. I was really proud of him and the way he performed.