The world title fight many fans have been eagerly awaiting now seems certain to take place at the CIA, Cardiff, in December.

WBO World Cruiserweight Champion Jonny Nelson KO'd German Rudiger May in the seventh round in Essen late on Saturday night, and is now expected to face Wales' WBO champion Enzo Maccarinelli, who made the fifth successful defence of his crown in Newport on Friday.

Maccarinelli is in no doubt.

"I called in to Frank Warren, the fight's on in December," said the Swansea KO king, "and we will put on a great contest.

"To me it was always on. I had to take care of my job on Friday, and he of his job on Saturday.

"I have been stepping up and winning quite comfortably and Nelson, the big one, is the next logical step."

He added: "I wasn't surprised Nelson KO'd May. I thought he'd have won even more easily, to be honest. I knew May would be too one-dimensional for Jonny.

"But saying that, Jonny is not a quick starter and he's not a one- punch finisher. He grinds you down.

"So I've got no second thoughts about meeting him. I've said I want to fight the best and he is the best. Everyone knows how much I admire Jonny. He's a great champion and a great guy and we are good friends" (Nelson has visited Maccarinelli's home and was very complimentary about his mum's Italian cooking).

"But boxing is our business and there will be no love lost between us in the ring. It's a gladiatorial sport, one on one, with nowhere to hide, and it breeds mutual respect. "I have a tape of Arturo Gatti fighting Ivan Robinson. It's one of the best fights I've ever seen and they are the best of friends."

Talented Pontypool light welterweight Tony Doherty is out to make it 12 wins from 12 as a professional at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Friday.

The 21-year-old, who won his 11th fight when easily out-pointing experienced former Welsh Welterweight Champion Keith Jones at the Newport Centre on Friday, will go in against Pontefract's Peter Dunn.

He had been due to face Dunn, 29, winner of just nine of his 44 fights, at Newport before Jones stepped in, and his impressive display against his rival, having his 101st contest, suggests Dunn hasn't a hope of halting Doherty's surge up the British rankings.