FORMER heavyweight champion Herbie Hide has targeted Bolton cruiserweight world champion Carl Thompson for his comeback fight later this year.

The 33-year-old has decided to drop down in weight and has asked the Horwich veteran to accept his challenge for a fight in September.

He said: "There is no need for him to mess about in small fights with small names; I'm here now. There isn't a bigger fight out there for him.

"I don't want him to put his IBO title on the line, he can keep that. We can just have a 12-round contest. Carl is a gentleman, but I will knock him out."

Thompson has seen it all in a 17-year pro career, and currently holds the IBO title after victory over Sebastien Rothmann in February last year.

Hide was stopped in his last fight against Lithuanian Mendauga Kulikauskas, and has decided to move into the cruiserweight division to reignite his fortunes.

With a record which shows 35 victories and 34 knockouts, he has taken on some of the biggest names in the boxing game including Riddick Bowe and Vitali Klitschko.

Now Hide believes a new challenge will enable him to collect a third world title.

He said: "I am going to wreak havoc. As a heavyweight I chinned 34 of my 35 victims, can you imagine what I am going to do as a cruiser? No one will be able to live with me.

"I am going to be massive at the weight; the others are going to be terrified at the sight of me.

"I really can't see how I can fail to become a world champion for a third time."