WBU world cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli, pictured, yesterday warned latest title challenger Garry Delaney to expect a lot of pain.

The experienced West Ham boxer provides Swansea's Maccarinelli with his third title defence at the Cardiff Ice Rink tomorrow.

The previous two challengers were destroyed in a round and not one of Maccarinelli's 17 fights have gone beyond four.

But his one defeat was by England's Lee Swaby, who ko'd him in three rounds, and Delaney outpointed Swaby in 1999.

In a 12-year pro career Delaney has won 31 and lost six of 38 contests with 17 knockouts and has previously challenged for a world title as well as the British heavyweight title.

That has led some pundits to suggest Maccarinelli faces his toughest fight, but he doesn't see it quite that way.

"As for him being the best boxer I've met, well I knocked out Bruce Scott to win the title and he was much higher class than Delaney (whom he knocked out in three)," said Maccarinelli.

"He's a good stand-up boxer. He's got a lot of good points and he's got a lot of bad points. I don't know if he'll come to me to try to take the title or be a bit cagey. But if he wants to take that belt off me he he'd better be prepared for some pain.

"He's said he thinks I have limited boxing ability so he's in for a big shock. If the fight goes a few rounds, people will see my boxing ability. The only reason they haven't seen it to date is that my fights haven't lasted that long.

"I punch to hurt. Every punch I throw is with that intent. You've seen the way I punch. I can put an opponent away at any time.

"So, I'll treat Delaney with respect, but I have confidence in my punching and if I see an opportunity to finish it early I will take it."

A confident Delaney countered: " I'm here to do a job. Enzo's a big puncher, but he has been knocked out. Every boxer's chinny. If you hit them hard enough on the chin they'll go."

Local bouts on the show are: middleweight, Gary Lockett (Cwmbran) v Kreshnik Qato (Albania); llight middleweight, Bradley Pryce (Newport) v Farai Musiiwa (Birmingham); Tony Doherty (Pontypool) v Chris Brophy (Swansea).