By Paddy Appleton

IAN Tims wants to push on in his career and the tough Dubliner hopes that a new fight is just around the corner as he is getting restless at being inactive.

Enzo Maccarinelli today pulled out of his British and Commonwealth title defence with Shane McPhilbin but it remains to be seen if the Tims camp will be contacted as a possible replacement fight for McPhilbin.

Tim’s spoke to us earlier this month and he had told us he wanted the winner, however today’s pull-out from Enzo leaves the door wide open.

Tims told Irish Boxing earlier in May: “I’m hoping to get a shot at the winner of McPhilbin’s fight with Enzo. Me and Shane were meant to fight last December but problems arose which meant the fight couldn’t go ahead. Shane’s a good kid and a top fighter but I don’t fear anyone. I’d love to mix it with him after the Maccarinelli fight.”

Tims continued, “I’ve been training away steadily and I’m ready to fight. I want as many fights as I can get really and I’ll take on any cruiserweight that isn’t afraid of a challenge. I’ve postponed the operation on my shoulder as it’s holding up fine at the minute so I want to fight whilst I feel fine.

The Dublin fighter is adamant that he wants a fight sooner rather than later and it is clear that Tims isn’t afraid of anyone at any notice, so it could be that McPhilbin may become an opportunity for the Irishman sooner than he expected.