Former world champion Enzo Maccarinelli is the latest retired boxer to get the itch to fight again.

In the last few weeks, former world champions like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and James Toney are all considering the possibility of fighting again - at the very least on an exhibition level.

Maccarinelli, 39-years-old and a former cruiserweight beltholder, is much younger than the rest - but he's tempted to return for at least one more fight - to reach number 50.

Maccarinelli (41-8, 33 KOs) has been inactive since June of 2016, when he was knocked out by Dmytro Kucher in one round. The loss snapped a three fight win streak, which included a brutal four round knockout of Roy Jones Jr. six months earlier.

Maccarinelli is under no illusion, he realizes that it's way too late to start another world title run. He just wants to go out with a win. But a solid comeback win often leads to more offers and in turn more fights.

"For my mental health, I need this 50th fight. I know I've got something left. I know I'm not going to put a run together. I'm too old for that, I've got too much going on. I had 50 amateur fights and I won 46. I'd love to finish on 50 pro fights. I did a bit of sparring last year. I won't mention any names because I'm not like that. He's highly touted and I hadn't been in a ring for year. Cut a long story short, first round I was awful, second round, things started to come together and third round, I finished it," Maccarinelli said to Sky Sports.

"I had a car crash. Then I lost my [step] brother. Everything went to hell. I had a herniated disc, pressing on my right and left leg nerve [from the crash], so I pretty much couldn't walk for a year. My running times are improving, my punch output. I'm looking just as fast as I ever have on the bag."

"I have, yes [been knocked out eight times]. If you look at my fights, yes I've been caught. But I've never ever taken a sustained beating. Not once, not in the gym, in sparring either. I've been caught with big shots. Ninety percent of the time, I've been on top, moving into finish. That was my style."

While he doesn't expect to begin a world title run, Maccarinelli does see a champion who is there for the taking, a fighter who is open enough to get caught with a big punch.

Maccarinelli is not looking to end his career with a victory over a hopeless journeyman.

"One I do see is that (Ilunga) Makabu, the WBC champion. I would fancy that. I really think I could. He's dangerous, but I think he's open. I think I'd be able to catch him," Maccarinelli said.

"I wouldn't want my 50th fight to be against a taxi driver or a road sweeper, I'd need someone to frighten me a little. In my last fight [against Ukrainian Dmytro Kucher], I let myself down. I wasn't focused. I was in the ring thinking of taking my son to football in the morning."