JOHNNY Nelson will defy medical convention to put his WBO cruiserweight title on the line against leading domestic rival Enzo Maccarinelli in Manchester next month.

The 39-year-old Nelson was told he would never box again after snapping the patella tendon in his knee during preparation for his first scheduled meeting with the Welshman in March.

But Nelson intends to put his experience to good use when he meets puncher Maccarinelli on what could be one of the domestic showdowns of the year on Joe Calzaghe's undercard on October 14.

Nelson said: "The surgeon told me I would not box again and when he said that to me it made my blood boil. It was the darkest time of my life and I was desperate to prove people wrong.

"I watched Enzo's last fight on television at home, sitting in my underpants with my crutches by my side. They were talking about me retiring and I thought, this isn't happening."

Nelson spent the first eight weeks of his painful recovery process rebuilding his strength through aqua-aerobics but believes he has emerged in the best shape of his career.

Nelson added: "I went back to basics and realised I had forgotten to do a lot of things. I have more mobility and footwork, and my workrate is a lot higher.

"I have got two years left in boxing and I intend to retire at this level as a fighter. Coming from where I was a few months ago to this, nobody is going to dip my confidence."
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