Enzo Maccarinelli could face former heavyweight champion Herbie Hide in a WBO cruiserweight title clash at London's ExCel Arena on Saturday. The 37-year-old is ready to step in at just four days' notice to fight the Welshman after Johnathon Banks withdrew at the 11th hour with an ankle injury.

"Herbie Hide is one of the potential fighters on our shortlist," confirmed a spokesman for Maccarinelli's promoters. Hide fought only two weeks ago when he beat Lukasz Rusiewicz in Germany. Maccarinelli is desperate to regain the WBO cruiserweight crown he lost in a stunning second-round knockout by David Haye last March.

The Londoner vacated the belt to move up to the heavyweight division and it was announced early last month that Maccarinelli would fight again for the WBO title.

American Banks pulled out after injuring himself during a training session but controversial Hide is one of a number of names on Maccarinelli's promoters Sports Network's shortlist.

Banks was number one contender in the WBO list while Maccarinelli is third in the WBO rankings and veteran Hide fourth.

And despite the new opponent only taken the fight at the last-minute, a Sports Network spokesman said: "It'll still be for the WBO title."

Maccarinelli wants to make amends for his humbling by Haye at the O2 Arena and admits: "I have been training twice as hard since the David Haye fight.

"I don't think I've ever hit this hard and I've had to hold back a bit there's so much in my punches."

The Swansea showman has been on a strength and conditioning programme ahead of the fight which has seen his body mass index drop dramatically - and his muscle density increase two-fold.

"It [losing to Haye] made me realise how much I love this sport, and the Monday after the fight I was back in the gym," he said.

"I've been doing all my usual runs and fitness programmes with the boys from the gym, but have looked to improve my strength as well.

"I've been chopping logs and dragging tyres around to make me stronger, and I've already seen the effects in sparring."

Former two-time world heavyweight champion Hide, who lost his titles to Riddick Bowe in 1995 and Vitali Klitschko in 1998, could become the first man ever to step down and win a world title in both divisions.

Hide is unbeaten in his 11 fights since his comeback following two years out, including his five victories this year.