Boxing: Calzaghe Wants Johnson Test

Joe Calzaghe, world super-middleweight champion, will be at the Bolton Arena on Saturday to watch Jamaica's Glen Johnson, a potential future opponent, challenge Clinton Woods for his International Boxing Federation version of the light-heavyweight title.

Talks are under way between Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren and the Johnson camp about a possible February meeting if the Jamaican can beat Woods. Such a scenario would give Calzaghe the chance to be a world champion at two weights.

Woods, 34, from Sheffield, and Johnson, 37, have met twice before in IBF title fights, with the first finishing in a draw and the second won by Johnson on points. This time the bookies are quoting Woods as an 8-11 favourite to gain his revenge.

"I think it's a 50-50 fight," said Calzaghe yesterday of Saturday's bout. "Johnson's not getting any younger and Clinton has improved a little and grown in confidence since he won the title." Asked which man he would prefer to face, Calzaghe added: "Johnson would be a bigger fight for me. He's knocked out Roy Jones and beaten Antonio Tarver, so he's known to the American audience.

"But either one wouldn't give me too much trouble. What you see is what you get. Clinton Woods is a taller fighter, so he would try to use his reach, while Johnson is more of a pressure fighter.

"I give Clinton a lot of credit. He was called 'a decent domestic fighter,' but he showed a lot of hunger and kept trying. But I don't think in his own heart he believes he can beat me. He was offered a lot more money to fight me than he is getting to face Johnson and I don't think he fancies it. Clinton's a nice guy, down to earth, like me. But, if it comes down to it, I think I will destroy him. As for Johnson. he's done a lot of mouthing off, and I'd love to get in the ring and do a proper number on him."

Calzaghe has recovered from a hand injury and is in training to defend his World Boxing Organisation and IBF super-middleweight titles against Australia's Sakio Bika in Manchester on October 14.