TRAINER Gary Lockett believes Enzo Maccarinelli can claim another world title after Saturday’s knockout win over Roy Jones Jr in a non-title cruiserweight fight in Moscow.

Maccarinelli was WBO cruiserweight world champion between 2006 and 2008 and has also held British and European belts at cruiserweight and the Commonwealth light-heavyweight title.

And, after flooring 46-year-old former four-weight world champion Jones in the fourth round, Lockett believes his man can become a world champ again aged 35.

“I’ve seen a lot of negative stuff about Roy being old but people in the know, people I respect in boxing, say Enzo can win another world title,” said the Cwmbran trainer, who himself fought for a world title in 2008.

“I believe he can. He’s always been able to punch – he could knock a horse out – but he was a reckless fighter with his chin up and his back straight.

“And people say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks but we’ve worked tirelessly on his defence over the past few years.

“He deserves a lot of credit for listening and starting again.

“People criticized me when I took him on,” he added. “His confidence was shot and every man and his dog was telling him to retire.

“I was reluctant but I spoke to Enzo and I was convinced he had something left.

“And I’m so pleased that he’s proved himself and me right because he’s a shining example, a real success story.

“He’s 35 but he trains like a 21-year-old. I’m really proud of him and so are his family.”

Lockett doesn’t know what is next for Maccarinelli but he is certain that Jones Jr should now hang up his gloves.

The veteran, who was beaten by Joe Calzaghe in 2008, was fighting for the first time since he was granted Russian citizenship in October.

Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a decree to grant citizenship to Jones in September after meeting the boxer in Crimea in August.

The bout, which was held at the VTB Ice Palace, was originally billed as a WBA cruiserweight title fight.

But the governing body's vice-president Gilberto Mendoza said no title would be at stake.

“We were surprised Roy still took the fight when we knew there was no title on the line,” said Lockett.

“But it was a good opportunity for Enzo to get back into the mix – it was just a shame that he had to be the one to do that to Roy.

“In my eyes Roy was one of the best boxers the world has ever seen but he’s old now and we were told he can’t run anymore because of his bad knees.

“The plan was to put pressure on him, get him to use his legs and tire him out and Enzo didn’t put a foot wrong.

“It went as planned but I had a lump in my throat at the end.

“Roy should have retired a decade ago but that’s boxing for you – some people go on longer than they should.”