Maccarinelli is desperate to be the first Welshman to regain a world title

European cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli says he feels the threat of his undefeated opponent Alexander Frenkel has been overstated.

"He's got a pretty similar record to Alexander Kotlobay who I beat in Russia last time out," said the Swansea man.

"They've fought similar guys, he's another dangerous up-and-comer who wants my name on his record.

"But my confidence is sky high. I went over to Kotlobay's home town and flattened him in a round."

Former WBO world champion Maccarinelli, 29, will make the first defence of the European title he won against Kotlobay in St Petersburg when he faces Frenkel at Birmingham's LG Arena on 18 September.

Enzo basically took his career into both hands, went abroad and resurrected it Promoter Frank Warren

Twenty-five-year-old Frenkel, a Ukrainian based in Germany, is the mandatory challenger and boasts an impressive 22-0 record with 17 knock-outs.

The Kotlobay win was easily Maccarinelli's most impressive performance since losing his WBO crown in a unification bout with current heavyweight king David Haye in March 2008.

Between that second-round defeat and the Kotlobay win, Maccarinelli suffered two devastating stoppage defeats against three victories over journeymen.

"Enzo basically took his career into both hands, went abroad and resurrected it," said promoter Frank Warren.

"He's had a lot of problems over the past two years, but hopefully they're over now.

"On his day he's unbeatable. I hope he can focus on his boxing, he's learnt from the setbacks."

This is the Enzo of four or five years ago... I've got the eye of the tiger back, a renewed hunger for the game Enzo Maccarinelli

Maccarinelli told BBC Sport Wales: "I had a few problems people didn't know about, I was trying to change what I did well in the past.

"I had so many arguments with sports scientists and similar people - I tried what they told me and it just didn't work for me.

"I need to do things the way I know how to do them. That got me a world championship, I shouldn't have tried to change anything.

"That win over in Russia just shut people up when they were saying I was finished.

"This is the Enzo of four or five years ago. I'm on the crest of a wave, feeling good, strong and very fit gone back to basics.

"I've got the eye of the tiger back, a renewed hunger for the game.

"I'm not looking beyond Frenkel, but I will be after another world title shot."

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