Nelson says he will beat Maccarinelli then retire as champion

The Sheffield man, 39, has held the belt for seven years, but a knee injury in March scuppered a July Maccarinelli bout and threatened to end his career.

Maccarinelli won the interim WBO title last week and will get the full belt if Nelson does not face him by September.

"Maccarinelli's promoters have written with a date of 2 September and that's fine by me," Nelson told BBC Sport.

Enzo's chances against me are slim and none - and slim will be on holiday in Las Vegas at the time! Johnny Nelson

"If I was Enzo, though, I'd be asking for October or November. He's had two hard fights this year against Marcelo Dominguez and Mark Hobson and he won't be too fresh at the moment."

The Nelson-Maccarinelli showdown could form part of an Amir Khan card in Bolton.

Nelson has been impressed by his 25-year-old Welsh challenger - but is supremely confident that he has what it takes to tame the younger WBU champion.

"Enzo's made hard work of his two fights this year, but they've been good learning experiences for him," Nelson told BBC Radio Wales' Back Page programme.

Maccarinelli's stoppage of Dominguez impressed Nelson

"I thought his fight with Dominguez last week was close, but I don't agree with some commentators who had the Argentine ahead.

"I felt that Enzo was well in front, and it was a typical Maccarinelli shot that stopped it - very classy.

"Being able to stop a tough opponent in the ninth round shows that he can box, carries his power, and is very fit.

"He's also getting the experience slowly, but I already have that and Enzo is going to have to experience losses and setbacks before he becomes a very good champion.

"His chances against me are slim and none - and slim will be on holiday in Las Vegas at the time!"

I'll beat Enzo and then walk away from boxing Johnny Nelson

Nelson - known as 'the Entertainer' - says that he will enjoy proving wrong those who thought his knee ligament problem would be the end of him, before walking away from the game.

"The surgeons have been really impressed with me, I've been working on the knee really well for the last month," said Nelson, who has a record of 45-12-2 (9 KOs) and has not lost since 1995.

"You haven't seen the last of me, I've been loving it when people have been saying Enzo will get the title without even facing me.

"I'll beat him and then walk away from boxing, I've had a good crack and enjoyed every aspect of my career."