By Mark Vester
Promoter Frank Warren informed The Guardian that he's begun negotiations for a bout between WBC/WBA/WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe (44-0, 32 KOs) and recognized light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs). Warren has already spoken with Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaeffer and says the early talks look good.
"I have spoken with Richard Schaeffer, who is the boss of Hopkins' promoters, Golden Boy, and the indications are that we have a real chance of doing it," said Warren. "It is the best option that Hopkins has. Where else can he go? He could have a rematch with 'Winky' Wright, but that would be sponsored by Prozac and Mogadon. The best fight for the public has to be one with Calzaghe."
Hopkins is known for being difficult when it comes to splitting the money. Warren, who tried to put a Hopkins-Calzaghe bout together in the past, without success, has said that Hopkins cannot get too greedy. Warren wants the fight to take place in either March or April of next year.
"The most important thing, though, is the money side. Hopkins has to realize that if there is 100 on the table he can't walk away with 99 of it," Warren added. "HBO should do everything they can to make this fight for Joe. Let's get it on, because nobody gives a monkey's ass about any other fight that Hopkins could take. March or April would be a good time and that is what we are looking at. Joe's got plenty of juice still in him, because he lives the life of a professional athlete and so does Bernard Hopkins. It's a huge, huge fight, and the bookies would reckon it would be a pretty even-money contest, and that is what the fans would want to see."
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