Matthew Macklin is on a collision course with British middleweight champ Wayne Elcock in what’s set to be one of the fights of 2009. The all Birmingham clash has been ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control who have nominated Macklin as Elcock’s mandatory challeger.

With both men having traded barbs through the media recently Macklin can’t wait for the chance to trade punches with his local rival in the ring. A confident Macklin, who remains the Irish middleweight champ told BritishBoxing.net that he doesn’t believe Elcock is in his league.

“I have known Wayne a long time and I don't think he has my talent level. I think he can be a bit herky-jerky and that makes things a bit awkward. Wayne is a bit unpredictable from that point of view. I think I am a stronger fighter, I hit harder, I've got more talent, a much stronger chin, I'm tougher, and I will win this fight, without a doubt.

“The atmosphere will be electric. The last two fights I was on early and the atmosphere wasn't great. There were no titles on the line and it became a bit like a spar. I know this one will be electric, the British title will be on the line and the atmosphere will be intense. I think this will be a much better performance than my last fight. Everyone has been talking about this in Birmingham. It is between two Brummies and it's for a decent title.”

Macklin believes a win over Elcock will take him a step closer to European and World honours. “I will then leave things up (manager) Brian Peters and (promoter) Frank Warren. Beating Elcock will give me a ranking. I just want to keep moving up the ladder and crack onto European level. I want fights that will test me and in coming through them I will be a better fighter as a result. I can then go on and win a world title fight.”

Macklin’s last outing in October saw him chalk up a points win over U.K. vased Serbian, Geard Ajetovic but the former Tipperary underage hurling star wasn’t overly pleased with his performance. “In the Geard fight I did OK,” shrugged Macklin.

“It was a tough fight and I never fought anywhere near to my potential. He stunned me momentarily. He was heavy-handed. I wouldn't say that he shook me badly to the point where I didn't know where I was. It was OK. I did enough to win comfortably and I now just want to get in with Elcock. I expect a much better performance this time around. He hasn't got the best chin and I will win inside the distance.”

Elcock though is bullish about his chances of successfully retaining the title he won over a year ago against Howard Eastman. “It is the fight I have always wanted. It is the fight that all Birmingham boxing fans want. Now I have the chance to prove that I am the best in Birmingham and that means the best in Britain. The only place to be in boxing is number one and I am there now. I have the Lonsdale Belt and nobody will take it from me – especially Macklin.”