Warren Begins Talks to Make Calzaghe-hopkins Match

Joe Calzaghe's promoter, Frank Warren, revealed last night that he has begun negotiations aimed at securing his fighter a contest against the world's No1 light-heavyweight Bernard Hopkins in the new year, and that he was cautiously optimistic that the fight would take place.

"I have spoken with Richard Schaeffer, who is the boss of Hopkins' promoters, Golden Boy, and the indications are that we have a real chance of doing it," said Warren. "It is the best option that Hopkins has. Where else can he go? He could have a rematch with 'Winky' Wright, but that would be sponsored by Prozac and Mogadon. The best fight for the public has to be one with Calzaghe."

Hopkins has indicated that he would be prepared to face Calzaghe after the undefeated Welshman called for a contest against the American following his victory at the weekend over Mikkel Kessler which confirmed his status as the world's No1 super-middleweight, adding the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council belts to the World Boxing Organization version of the title that he has now held for 10 years.

"The most important thing, though, is the money side. Hopkins has to realize that if there is 100 on the table he can't walk away with 99 of it," Warren added. "HBO [the US cable network who are the most powerful broadcasters in boxing] should do everything they can to make this fight for Joe. Let's get it on, because nobody gives a monkey's about any other fight that Hopkins could take. March or April would be a good time and that is what we are looking at. Joe's got plenty of juice still in him, because he lives the life of a professional athlete and so does Bernard Hopkins. It's a huge, huge fight, and the bookies would reckon it would be a pretty even-money contest, and that is what the fans would want to see."

Calzaghe is due to have an official audience with Prince Charles at Cardiff Castle this lunchtime, when a special presentation will be made to him in honor of his services to boxing and the 22 world title fights he has won over the last decade.

Meanwhile, Warren has also revealed that the contest, originally broadcast on Setanta, will be rebroadcast at 1.10pm on Saturday on BBC1 who outbid ITV. He added that more than 300,000 people had watched the bout on Setanta.