Boxing: Enzo title tilt off as Alvarez fails medical; Chips down for the Big Mac as opponent pulls out.

ENZO Maccarinelli will not reclaim the WBO cruiserweight title tonight after opponent Francisco Alvarez failed the pre-fight medical.

Puerto Rican Alvarez (pictured below) stepped in at late notice this week after unbeaten American Johnathon Banks was forced out of the clash for the vacant title through injury.

Alvarez was brought in at late notice to save the contest - which replaced Nicky Cook's super-featherweight world title defence against Stephen Foster Jr at the top of the bill when Cook pulled out with flu - but the Central American, after needing two attempts to make the 200lb weight limit, then failed his medical yesterday afternoon. No reason has yet been given.

Welshman Maccarinelli lost the WBO belt in March when he was obliterated by domestic rival David Haye, who then relinquished the cruiserweight titles to move up to heavyweight.

Promoter Frank Warren managed to secure the Swansea puncher an immediate shot at the title against Banks, only for an injury in training to rule the American out.

And after Alvarez's enforced withdrawal, Maccarinelli will not be able to fight for the belt at the Excel Arena tonight, al - though he will fight - against Matthew Ellis over ten rounds at heavyweight.

After both the Cook and Maccarinelli fights were hit by withdrawals, Amir Khan may find the spotlight even stronger when he returns from his first career defeat in London. The 2004 Olympic silver medalist has admitted the pressure is on against Irishman Oisin Fagan after the defeat by Breidis Prescott and with Maccarinelli's title tilt now off, Khan is likely to be the main attraction.

Khan is convinced his brutal defeat by Prescott will prove the turning point in his career.

Khan meets Fagan in his first appearance since being annihilated in 54 seconds by little-known Colombian puncher Prescott.

But far from mourning the only blemish on his 19-fight record, Khan believes it set off a chain of events that will guide him to the top. Trainer Jorge Rubio was dismissed and the 22-year-old headed over to Los Angeles, where he has spent six weeks under the watchful eye of the highly-respected Freddie Roach.

"Things happen for a reason. If I hadn't lost I wouldn't have met Freddie Roach and sparred with Manny," Khan said.

"Training in America was new for me but I loved it. I'll do it for every fight now.

Now I'm living and sleeping boxing."

Also on the undercard, Olympic superheavyweight gold medalist Audley Harrison attempts to boost his career when he takes on Martin Rogan, who beat Sunderland's David Dolan to win the first Prizefighter heavyweight tournament.