I am glad Rendall Munroe has taken a six-month break.

Right now there is no doubt he is the best super-bantamweight in Europe. He's done fantastically well to get there and has had a few successful defences but now he is ready to move on.

Now is the time to see if he is world class, because Rendall knows - and we know - he is head and shoulders above anyone else in Europe.

Munroe: head and shoulders above anyone in Europe

At the moment he is just marking time and that is a dodgy stage in any fighter's career. That's when mistakes can creep in, when the attitude might not be quite right and you can become sloppy.

You can so easily start looking beyond the fight in hand, not consciously of course, but we have seen it happen time and time again. It would be easy for him to think 'I'm world class, what am I doing here?'.

But the six-month break, after six fights in 14 months, should make sure that doesn't happen. I don't think Rendall is that type of guy, but a little break can do you the world of good, simply to recharge the batteries. On Friday night he will be starting afresh, starting a new chapter in his career.

Calibre

I am glad he is in with a fighter of Simone Maludrottu's calibre as well. Ok, he doesn't do anything spectacular, but he is strong, rugged and has good stamina.

But - and this is where the fight will be decided - all the physical advantages are going to lie with Munroe. He is a big, big super-bantamweight and it was at bantamweight where the Italian enjoyed all his success.

That said, he was European champion for a while and took on plenty of decent fighters in that time, so he won't be easy to get out of there.

As long as Munroe is not struggling at the weight - and I see no reason to think he will be - this should get him back into the swing of things and on top of all that, get him a shot at the world title in 2010.

He is ranked number two by the WBC, but I keep hearing talk of the number one challenger Rafael Marquez stepping up. And the WBC, of all the major organisations, appreciate a European champion, never mind one with as many successful defences as Munroe.

If he wins this he could find himself in at number one and the world literally opens up for him. The champion is Japan's Toshiaki Nishioka and normally it is hard to get the belt holder to travel.

Champion

But if Rendall can get that number one spot, it goes to purse bids and then it depends on what Frank Maloney is willing to pay. But don't forget a few weeks ago Frank was balloting to get Jamie Moore a world-title shot as well, now he has only got one man to champion on that front.

This really is the time for Rendall Munroe. There's no need for him and his team to do anything different, just keep on doing what has got them where they are. The only way to find out if a fighter is world class is to let him fight there.

I do know though, that he is good enough to beat Maludrottu and set it all up for 2010. You have to give the guy respect because he's fought for a world title himself, but Munroe will be too big, too strong, too good.

I would have to fancy him to win on points at least, but Maludrutto might be tough but he has always been fairly easy to hit and if Rendall can land hard, clean shots, there's no reason why because of the size difference alone, he can't stop this guy late on.

Whatever the outcome, if Rendall Munroe wins this, it will be huge for him. Boxing in this country - and across the world - is buzzing right now and we could even be looking at another British world champion next year.

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