Enzo vows to end Wayne's world hopes quickly

Former WBC champion Braithwaite, nicknamed 'Big Truck' in honour of his ferocious punching power, comes into the Cardiff showdown with a formidable record of 22 wins from 24 fights and a promise to make the Welshman his 19th knockout victim.

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But Maccarinelli is adamant that while there will be a knockout in the Cardiff International Arena tonight, it will not be him lying on the canvas.

Preparing to defend the title he inherited from Englishman Johnny Nelson alongside Scotsman Alex Arthur's bid for the interim WBO featherweight title, the 26-year-old Swansea puncher said: "Will this fight go the distance? There's no real chance of that I don't think.

"I've prepared for 12 (rounds), I always do, but I really don't see it going that far. He is a big puncher, hits very hard, but I don't think anyone hits as hard as me. I'll take his punches and give them back with interest.

"His punches feel like being hit by a truck, so they say, but as I've said plenty of times, tests have shown my punch is like getting hit by a transit van at 30 mph. Three tonnes of pressure. He's going need a good chin to take that. Does he have one? He's been beaten twice, why can't he be beaten again?

"I don't think this challenge will last a long time. It's going to be a mini-war and, as I'm entitled to think, I believe I will be the one standing at the end."

Braithwaite, 31, this week insisted he will be doing his "talking in the ring", but also claimed he would be oblivious to the partisan crowd outside it.

The New York-based Guyanese fighter said: "I've been boxing away from home most of my career, so fighting top of the bill in Cardiff doesn't bother me."

Whether he can ignore the crowd remains to be seen, but Maccarinelli is confident home advantage will make a difference.

He said: "There's going to be that much noise, how can he ignore it? Obviously I'm the one who has to do the winning, but I'll be taking a lift from the crowd and I reckon they won't be disappointed by the outcome.

"I've trained so hard for this fight, there's nothing more I can do. I've put in the miles, I've sparred day and night with Joe (Calzaghe, undefeated WBO and IBF world champion, who, like Braithwaite is a southpaw) and I know what to expect. I know it's going to be a great, quick fight.

"The crowd are going to get a treat. Two fighters who throw big shots. It's going to be great. Possibly my best fight."

Arthur, meanwhile, believes he has struck the first psychological blow against Koba Gogoladze ahead of their interim title bout.

Both fighters weighed in at nine stone three-and-a-half pounds and Arthur, who has given up his British, Commonwealth and European titles in his quest for a world title shot, looked impassively into the eyes of the Philadelphia-based Georgian.

Afterwards the 29-year-old Scot said: "I stared him down at the weigh-in.

"I could see in his eyes that the pressure is getting to him.

"His eyes were flickering and he could hardly look at me.

"I am 100% confident. I have waited a long time for this fight and I'm delighted Frank Warren (promoter) has given me this opportunity to fight in Britain.

"I know I'm going to win this fight."