ENZO Maccarinelli is not expected to fight for the WBO cruiserweight title until April — but will still feature in Manchester next month.

The former WBO king was expected to take on Argentinean Victor Emilio Ramirez for his old crown at the MEN Arena on the March 14 bill along with Amir Khan and Nicky Cook.

But Maccarinelli has been dealt a minor blow, with Ramirez's demand for more preparation time granted by the WBO.

The 24-year-old shocked Russian Alexander Alexeev to win the interim title a fortnight ago, and now has the full title in sight.

And before Maccarinelli can start dreaming of strapping his old belt around his waist, the Swansea fighter will have to win through a proposed bout to earn his crack at Ramirez.

If victorious, Maccarinelli then expects to fight Ramirez in late April.

It proves a frustrating time for Maccarinelli, whose only fight in the past 11 months was a stunning second-round stoppage of heavyweight Matthew Ellis in December.

Either side of that, he has seen prospective fights cancelled at the eleventh hour.

But he is still keeping a positive frame of mind.

"Ramirez wanted longer to get ready and that's up to him, even though I am ready to go now," said Maccarinelli.

"I am disappointed with it all, but I guess it can't be helped. It means that I will have to fight someone before Ramirez, which is not a problem for me.

"I will get another fight under my belt and I can't wait to get in that ring. I'm hungry to be the champion again."

Maccarinelli was originally expected to fight undefeated American Johnathon Banks on the March 14 bill, but he has agreed to take on IBF champion Tomasz Adamek instead.

And with Ramirez being granted extra time, Maccarinelli has been told he must beat a top ten-ranked opponent.

With Banks and Ramirez out of contention, recently defeated Alexeev could be in line for Maccarinelli.

London-born Ola Ofolabi is another possibility, as is Australia's Lawrence Tauasa, American BJ Flores and German Marco Huck.

But ruled out are Grigory Drozd and Herbie Hide — the man who launched an astonishing verbal attack on Maccarinelli — as they have fights lined up.

And rumours of a potential fight with light-heavyweight Dean Francis have also been rubbished.

Whoever Maccarinelli fights, he has vowed he will be in dangerous mood.

"I am looking forward to fighting on March 14," he added. "By having a fight before Ramirez, it gives me the chance to sharpen my tools even more.

"Whoever I fight I can assure you I will be in great shape and will take one step towards becoming the best in the division. I know I am, but there are people who doubt that. But when I get past this fight and then beat Ramirez, Swansea can be proud of its champion once again."