I have reluctantly accepted this week that my fight against Glen Johnson for the IBF world light-heavyweight title is not going to take place.

It means my next fight, almost certainly now in Cardiff in September, will be back at super-middleweight.

When the news was confirmed I was gutted to be honest, but at least it means I will get the chance to defend my WBO world title for the 15th time, equalling Chris Eubank's record.

But I still intend to move up a division as soon as possible and continue my career at light-heavyweight as that is where the big fights are and where the big money is.

As far as I understand it, Johnson has officially signed to meet Roy Jones junior on September 25, but whether that fight goes ahead or not is of no concern to me now.

I just want to get back in the ring as soon as possible, prove yet again against whoever they put in front of me that I am still easily the best super-middleweight in the world and then move on to pastures new.

I haven't given up hope of completing three fights this year, which was my target at the start of 2004, and it could be that I will fight again in December. That would be great. The thing you learn pretty quickly about boxing is that nothing is ever certain until your opponent steps in front of you in the ring.

I have had many opponents cry off fighting me in my career and I have had to pull out of one or two scheduled bouts as well. And there have been many promises unfulfilled. All you can do is keep on fighting, keep on winning and waiting for the next big opportunity. I don't regard time as running out on me. Many of the current world stars are well into their late 30s and still going strong and I'm only just 31.

But I don't want to hang around so long that my enthusiasm wains and/or my ability diminishes. I want another world title, a career-defining fight and worldwide recognition as soon as possible.

One world champion in his late 30s still going strong is WBO cruiserweight Johnny Nelson and though Nelson believes otherwise, I think WBU champion Enzo Maccarinelli would have an excellent chance of beating him if they fought right now.

Promoter Frank Warren hopes to put the fight on in December, provided Nelson gets past German challenger Rudiger May in September, which he should.

Nelson has said Maccarinelli is not yet ready for him and Enzo himself has expressed doubt, but I think he should take his chance.

Nelson is 37 and set to retire at the end of the year and his heart may not be in the game as strongly as it was, so why shouldn't Enzo go for it now?

He can punch, he can box and he has just proved he can go 12 rounds, so why wait?

It would be an intriguing fight. Nelson is a very clever, cagey boxer who has been in with the best and he can mess you around, but this is Enzo's chance to see how good he is and I'd like to see the fight happen.

Another fighter who is to get his long held wish to prove how good he is is Manchester's Ricky Hatton, who has signed to fight American-based Guyana boxer Vivian Harris for the world light-welterweight crown in Manchester on October 1.

WBU champion Hatton has been complaining to Frank Warren about the quality of opponents, but he can't complain now.

Hatton is a good fighter who could be a very good fighter and this is the sort of test he needs to get him 'up'. This time we'll see just how good he is against the very best and Harris, the WBA champion, is just that.

Hatton, nicknamed 'The Hitman', is 25 and has won all his 36 fights. Harris is the same age with a 24-1-1 record and 16 KOs.

It should be a real cracker and one worth going a long way to see.

As for me, I have been chilling out with my kids in Sardinia this past week and visiting my relatives again.

As I said when I visited earlier this year, I love it back in my father's homeland and my kids love it too.

I understand the weather back home has been damp and cold, so I won't upset you all by describing what it has been like over here. Let's just say you wouldn't need an umbrella or an extra pullover.