By Mark Vester
The New Jersey Herald reports that WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe (42-0, 31 KOs) has set his mind on making his debut in America in 2007, against Jermain Taylor or Bernard Hopkins.
"I want Jermain Taylor, because he beat (Bernard) Hopkins and I think his style is more suited to me than Hopkins," Calzaghe said. "If that fight does happen, I don't think it'll come to the (United Kingdom). It'll be in the States. I'm ready to come over. Taylor said he wants to come to 168. He's not going to come up and just fight anybody. He wants to fight the man. I'm the man at 168. If he wants to be the best, he has to fight the true champion. I'm the true champion."
Of course if the bout does not happen because one of them happens to lose one of their upcoming bouts, or for some other reason, he will target Hopkins (47-4-1, 32 KOs, 1 NC). Of course a bout with Hopkins depends on whether or not he lands a heavyweight title shot against WBC champ Oleg Maskaev.
"People say, 'Why are you calling out a retired fighter?,' " Calzaghe said. "But I think it's the worst-kept secret (in boxing) that Hopkins won't stay retired. He loves his money too much. I never thought for two minutes that Hopkins was staying retired. Listen, if he gets the fight with Maskaev, well, good (for) him. But if not, I want to fight him."