Calzaghe hopeful of Hopkins bout

Joe Calzaghe’s hopes of a big-money showdown with American star Bernard Hopkins have received a boost after a meeting between rival promoters Frank Warren and Don King in London this morning.

Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium is being tipped to stage the clash next summer if both fighters successfully come through their respective bouts in the next couple of months.

Calzaghe is due to defend his WBO super middleweight title for the 12th time against American Thomas Tate at the Telewest Arena in Newcastle on December 14.

Hopkins, meanwhile, will put his WBC, WBA and IBF middleweight belts on the line against Frenchman Morrade Hakker in Philadelphia on January 11 before stepping up to the 12-stone division to face Calzaghe.

Warren said: “Don and myself are set on making this fight happen. Joe has agreed to it and it is now up to Hopkins to agree and the fight can take place next year providing both men come through their forthcoming defences.

“We have been working a long time for this fight to take place and finally all the hard work is bearing fruit and the boxing fans can look forward to a sensational showdown in 2003.”

Calzaghe, 29, has won all 34 of his fights and claimed his title when beating Chris Eubank on points back in 1997.

The Welshman added: “This is brilliant news and is just the incentive I need to put on a top performance against Tate on December 14.

“I have been chasing a fight against the likes of Hopkins for a long time to prove that not only am I the best super middleweight, but also the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”