Boxing: Calzaghe Buoyant About Belfast Debut

Joe Calzaghe is set to make a 16th defence of his World Boxing Organisation version of the world super-middleweight title at the Kings Hall, Belfast, on March 18 against the local favourite Brian Magee.

The fight is subject to the final approval of the WBO and will go ahead only if the promoter Frank Warren can reach an agreement with his German counterpart Peter Kohl, who handles Mario Veit.

Veit was named interim champion by the WBO because of Calzaghe's inactivity last year due to injury and personal problems, but Warren is not keen to stage a fight between Veit and Calzaghe because the two met, nearly four years ago, when the Welshman scored a first-round knockout victory.

Calzaghe, who will be 32 by the time of the fight, is looking forward to a first appearance in Belfast and says: "The King's Hall is a great venue where all the great Irish fighters have fought from Rinty Monaghan and Dave McAuley to Barry McGuigan. I feel honoured to be following in their footsteps.

"I know the Belfast public, like the Welsh, are passionate about their sport. Magee is a good fighter and I know he will come to fight. But I'm the best out there, and I will still be the best when I knock him out."

Magee, 29, is a southpaw like Calzaghe, and has lost only once in 24 fights when he was outpointed by the former World Boxing Council super-middleweight champion Robin Reid over 12 rounds.