Enzo: I'll flatten Haye

Haye has been vocal in his claims to be the world's best 200-pound fighter ever since he stunned Jean Marc Mormeck to become WBC and WBA world champion in November, while WBO king Maccarinelli has spent the better part of two years "begging" promoter Frank Warren to make the bout happen.

Maccarinelli said: "I'm desperate to get in there and just smash him to the floor with a big bang. I spent years begging Frank (Warren) for this, years and years. Even before he beat Mormeck, this was the biggest domestic fight around and that's exactly what I want to be involved in."

He added: "He is adamant he is the best cruiserweight in the world and I'm adamant that I am. If he wants to be the best, he has to come through me. He won't get past. He will regret taking the fight."

Both fighters are renowned for throwing rather than dodging punches, with the Welshman knocking out 21 of his 27 victims, while Haye, from London, has claimed 19 of his 20 wins inside the distance, and Maccarinelli is expecting more of the same.

He said: "It is going to be explosive. There will be a lot of big punches because that is the style we both go for, we both come to fight. I can't put a prediction on how long the fight will last, but I know when I land a big one on him, the fight will be over."

Haye, who like Maccarinelli has one defeat on his record, matches his opponent's confidence.

He said: "This will be the modern day Benn-Eubank. I'm glad that politics have been put to one side and that Frank Warren and my manager Adam Booth have made the fight happen.

"I feel that it is my duty as world champion to fight the very best and I guarantee that I will knockout Maccarinelli to convince the few doubters that I am the best cruiserweight that Britain has ever produced."

A venue is yet to be announced for the bout, but Maccarinelli insists he is willing to fight anywhere.