By Mark Vester
The hometown competition between WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe and IBF junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton is beginning to heat up.
As many noticed during the HBO telecast of last week's card that saw Ricky Hatton decision Juan Urango for the IBF 140-pound title, the HBO broadcasters made several references to the younger Hatton's record being a near mirror image of the older Calzaghe. They HBO crew noted how Hatton (42-0, 30KOs), at only 28-years-old, has been able to practically tie the ring record of the 34-year-old Calzaghe (42-0, 31KOs).
In a recent interview with the Western Mail, Calzaghe said that he was not impressed with Hatton's performance last week, vowed to show the American fans a much better fight when he meets Peter Manfredo, Jr. on April 7, also televised by HBO, and proclaimed that his bout with Manfredo will show that he is the best fighter in the UK.
"I saw the Hatton fight and it makes me think I could do better," said Calzaghe. "Hatton looked good for the first four or five rounds, but, for whatever reason, he tired a bit. He won the fight comfortably, but it wasn't a great fight to watch. I believe I'm the No 1 fighter in the country - and I want to prove myself over there (in America)."
"I want to fight in New York at Madison Square Garden. Some people like the lights of Vegas, but personally I love New York. There's a strong Celtic and Italian connection and I think I'd take off there. I want a big fight in the States before I retire - either Bernard Hopkins or Jermain Taylor. The Manfredo fight is a platform. He's a big name in America and it's going to be the biggest exposure I've had in the States. The fight's live on HBO and recorded as well. It's imperative that I don't just win, but put on a wicked performance."
