Maccarinelli is looking to clean up the cruiserweight division

Negotiations have started over staging the fight on the Joe Calzaghe-Mikkel Kessler bill in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on 3 November.

"The deal is nearly done," said WBO cruiserweight champion Maccarinelli. "Cunningham has said he'll come over here to fight so let's get it on.

"But I don't mind who I fight next. I'll beat anyone in front of me."

Maccarinelli's stock rose again on Saturday night as he defended his WBO cruiserweight title for the third time with an unanimous points victory over former WBC champion Wayne Braithwaite.

Enzo is the best cruiserweight in the world - that's not a promoter's hype, I genuinely do believe that Promoter Frank Warren

The 26-year-old Welshman was denied a fourth successive knock-out win by a resilient display by New York-based Guyanese Braithwaite.

An injury to his right hand in the third round hampered Maccarinelli's progress, but he still managed to over-power his 31-year-old opponent.

"I was still able to throw the right, but not with the same venom I normally do," said the Swansea-man after taking his record to 27 wins from 28 fights.

Maccarinelli, who plans to buy a new car to celebrate his win over 'Big Truck' Braithwaite, has now set his sights on adding another belt to his name by taking Cunningham's IBF title.

Philadelphian Cunningham, 31, won the title on a split decision from Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in Poland in May.

He has already declared his interest in fighting Maccarinelli, and Cunningham's promoter Don King has said he would have no reservations about staging the fight in Cardiff next November.

606: DEBATE I personally think he will win and clean up the division KazLFC2

"Let's make a thrilling card," King told BBC Wales Sport prior to Maccarinelli's fight with Braithwaite. "I would be delighted to do it."

Another possible future contest for Maccarinelli would be against the winner of September's clash between England's David Haye and WBC champion Jean Marc Mormeck of France.

But whoever Maccarinelli fights next, his promoter Frank Warren believes the victories will keep coming.

"I honestly think he is the best cruiserweight in the world - that's not a promoter's hype, I genuinely do believe that," said Warren.

"He can beat anyone. He's a very smart boxer; he's got a fantastic jab and he can bang. he's got dynamite in both hands.