ENZO Maccarinelli, scheduled for a WBO world title shot in the next two months, is being targeted by American Steve Cunningham but is highly unlikely to fight Johnathon Banks, the Argus has learned.

Maccarinelli is being touted for a spot on the undercard of the mouth-watering clash between Amir Khan and Marco Antonio Barerra at the MEN Arena in Manchester on March 17, with promoter Frank Warren having won the purse for the WBO clash.

Maccarinelli was scheduled to face the unbeaten Banks in November at London’s Excel Arena, but an ankle injury to the young American scuppered the plans, ‘Big Macc’ instead making his bow at heavyweight as he returned to the ring for the first time since his knockout loss to David Haye.

It was expected that Banks would remain in the frame to contest the title, but he instead seems to be in line to face IBF champion Tomasz Adamek.

Adamek recently beat Cunningham via a controversial split decision to capture the IBF crown and now seems all set to make his first defence against Banks, paving the way for a Cunningham versus Maccarinelli contest.

In a recent interview with Polish on-line boxing magazine Bokser.org, current IBF cruiserweight champ Adamek confirmed that his next opponent is to be Banks.

Cunningham was happy to give his thoughts on that clash, before making clear his desire to tackle Maccarinelli in Britain.

“To me that fight (Adamek versus Banks) could go either way,” he said.

“You know, Johnathon Banks can crack. He had that big fight against Eliseo Castillo and he got hit and took a big shot but came back and finished that guy.

That’s a good bangers fight. Adamek’s got a pretty good European style with power, so there’ll be some fireworks in that fight and I want to face the winner of that fight!

“I still believe I am the best cruiserweight in the world. I know the audience and the fans see that in my last fight. I don’t consider that a loss. I feel like I won. I lost the decision, but feel that I won the fight.”

Cunningham is now keen on a showdown with Maccarinelli.

“My first choice would be to fight Tomasz (Adamek) again. But it’s clear he is avoiding me as he is already planning another fight in June,” he said.

“If the WBO would take it I would jump in there and fight Enzo (Maccarinelli). I’m always up for going to Europe, I’m used to fighting there. It would be a very exciting fight. A real battle and great TV. The British fans are great fans, really enthusiastic, you know, just like the Polish. It would be an awesome atmosphere.”

Cunningham is promoted by Don King Productions who also look after Barrera, which may be a help in getting the fight on as Maccarinelli would happily take on any of the top names in the division.

“I don’t care who it is, I just want to get in the ring and do my business and be a champion again,” Maccarinelli said.