Calzaghe's a light fantastic!

BOXING’S resurgence continues on April 19 with Joe Calzaghe v Bernard Hopkins. The world’s No 1 super- middleweight Calzaghe fights the world’s No 1 light-heavyweight Hopkins in Las Vegas. It’s Joe’s US debut and probably the biggest fight of his career. It took a lot of hard work to bring it all together but we were able to formally announce it this week. I’ll jointly promote it with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy firm, while Planet Hollywood will be hosts and venue. When Calzaghe beat Mikkel Kessler in November, we talked about the Hopkins fight. But it wasn’t until the pair came face-to-face at the weigh-in for Hatton-Mayweather that interest really took off. Ironically, it was only at the last minute that Joe decided to go to the weigh-in. Sometimes little decisions like that can have a massive impact on your whole life. Now Joe has the chance to show everyone in America he is the real deal. He has been installed as a 2-1-on favourite for the fight but it could be closer than a lot of people expect. This is Calzaghe’s first fight at light-heavyweight and he has to go into Hopkins’ backyard, where the judges could favour him. It’s never easy fighting bigger men and Hopkins comes from Philadelphia, which is famous for breeding tough fighters, including Joe Frazier. I just hope Hopkins fights like the legend he says he is and does not employ the kind of negative tactics that have spoilt some of his past fights. In the build-up, he has promised to take the fight to Joe. If he does, it could be a classic because Joe always comes to fight. The atmosphere will be electric, with hundreds of Brits making the trip. Let’s get it on! :boxing: :boxing: Wank Warren