CARL Thompson has vowed to bring his WBO World Cruiserweight Crown back to Bolton tonight when he meets Johnny Nelson in Derby. The Horwich champion believes he is ready to produce the best performance of his career and has promised his army of supporters: 'I am NOT going to lose!'.

Thompson steps into the ring for the first time since the sequel to his famous battle with Chris Eubank last July, a bruising war which ended in the ninth round.

And he insists he is ready to go one step further.

He said: "I produced great performances in both Eubank fights, but the last one was my best because I stopped him. I am ready to build on that tonight. "I feel like I am going from strength to strength. I just want to get in the ring and get on with it. I believe I will stop Nelson."

As the big fight approaches, Thompson, who has recorded 24 victories from 28 contests, admits to feeling a few nerves.

"If any boxer tells you he doesn't get nervous before a fight then he is lying" he said.

"It doesn't matter if it is a big fight or not you still get nervous - and that is a good thing. It keeps you on edge and helps you survive. You keep your focus too. Remember, someone is trying to knock your head off in there. You have to be aware of that or you won't see a good punch." Thompson, nicknamed The Cat, was crowned British Boxer of the Year in 1998, but says that title counts for nothing tonight.

"It is very hard for me to take awards and praise," he said modesty.

"It makes me feel very proud that people think highly enough of me to give me awards and I am very grateful for that. But that is all in the past now, all that matters is what I do tonight."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.