 Maccarinelli will be making his third title WBO defence |
WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli's defence against ex-WBC holder Wayne Braithwaite has been set. The deal has been completed for the fight to go ahead at the Cardiff International Arena on 21 July.
"Braithwaite's got to be in the top five cruiserweights in the world, it'll be a toe-to-toe war like Joe Calzaghe v Byron Mitchell," said Maccarinelli, 26.
"I'm really excited about it. He's a slick boxer but can punch as well. I'm preparing myself for a tough fight."
Welshman Maccarinelli had targeted another Don King fighter, IBF champion Steve Cunningham.
But the Philadelphian, 30, ruled out that possibility when he told BBC Sport Wales he is still recovering from his last bout, although he revealed he would meet Maccarinelli in September or October.
 | I'm sure I can keep with him in the punching department |
That left Braithwaite, who is known as 'Big Truck' and holds a record of 22-2 (18 KOs), as the main target for Maccarinelli.
The 31-year-old New York-based Guyanese said last week he was prepared to travel to Wales to face Maccarinelli - despite admitting he had never seen any of his fights.
Braithwaite got his nickname after his first opponent compared his punching power to being hit by a big truck.
He stopped Vincenzo Cantatore in Italy in 2002 to claim the WBC title, holding it until he suffered his first professional defeat to Jean-Marc Mormeck two years later.
A controversial stoppage defeat from Guillermo Jones in his next bout saw Braithwaite stay out of the ring for two years, but he returned to stop Gustavo Enriquez in February.
Maccarinelli, who has a growing reputation as being one of the hardest punchers in boxing, said he is confident Braithwaite has never faced a fighter of his power.
 Braithwaite has just two losses from 22 fights |
"If you've seen my power, you'll know it's bit more than a big truck," said Maccarinelli.
"I did a test for [children's television programme] Blue Peter and apparently my right hand is like being hit by three-and-a-half tonnes of pressure.
"I think that's a Transit van hitting you at 30 miles per hour so I'm sure I can keep with him in the punching department."
Maccarinelli tops a bill which also sees Gavin Rees challenging for Souleymane M'Baye's WBA light welterweight belt.
Alex Arthur will also take on Koba Gogoladze for the vacant WBO super featherweight title.
Gary Lockett, Derry Matthews, Paul Smith, Nathan Cleverley, Barrie Jones, Kerry Hope, Kenny Anderson, Don Broadhurst and Harry Miles also feature on the bill, along with Tony Doherty's defence of his Celtic welterweight title against Colin McNeil.
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