Lockett poised for Pavlik fight

Gary Lockett is to follow stablemate Joe Calzaghe to America

Gary Lockett could become Wales' fourth world champion as he is set for a shot at Kelly Pavlik's middleweight titles.

Lockett is expected to follow stable mate Joe Calzaghe to the US and fight American superstar Pavlik on 7 June, either in New York or Atlantic City.

The 31-year-old is the top challenger to Pavlik's WBO belt and the lucrative clash could be finalised this week.

Promoter Frank Warren confirmed: "We're in negotiations and hopefully we can do a deal with Pavlik's camp pretty soon."

606: DEBATE Has Lockett a hope against Pavlik?

Lockett is determined to be the fourth world champion from coach Enzo Calzaghe's renowned Newbridge gym.

Joe Calzaghe is the undisputed super-middleweight king, Enzo Maccarinelli holds the WBO cruiserweight crown while Gavin Rees is the WBA light welterweight champion.

Welsh boxing is revelling in a golden era and Lockett's proposed Pavlik showdown is to be the fourth major world title fight involving a Welshman this year.

WALES' WORLD CHAMPIONS Percy Jones (World flyweight champion, 1914) Freddie Welsh (World lightweight champion, 1914-17) Jimmy Wilde (World flyweight champion, 1916-23) Howard Winstone (WBC featherweight champion, 1968) Steve Robinson (WBO featherweight champion, 1993-95) Robbie Regan (IBF flyweight champion, 1995, WBO bantamweight champion, 1996) Barry Jones (WBO super featherweight champion, 1997) Joe Calzaghe (WBO super middleweight champion, 1997-, IBF super middleweight champion, 2006, WBA & WBC super middleweight champion, 2007-) Enzo Maccarinelli (WBO cruiserweight champion, 2006-8) Gavin Rees (WBA light welterweight champion 2007-)

Maccarinelli is preparing for his unification Battle of Britain with David Haye in London on Saturday, Rees has his first title defence two weeks later before Calzaghe takes on Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas on 19 April.

Lockett does hold a middleweight title but from the World Boxing Union, a lightly regarded sanctioning body.

The Rocket Man's American debut, though, will be a step up in class against one of the world's top fighters, who had been touted as a possible opponent for Calzaghe.

The proposed June showdown will be unbeaten Pavlik's first defence of his WBO and WBC titles since his back-to-back victories over Jermain Taylor.

Lockett was not expecting a lucrative shot at Pavlik's belts but the American's promoters Top Rank have chosen the Cwmbran man ahead of the WBC's number one challenger Giovanni Lorenzo.

Lockett, an unknown in the United States, will benefit from huge exposure if his date with Pavlik is confirmed as the fight will be broadcast by American TV company HBO.

Lockett's next fight, however, will be on the undercard to Rees' clash with Andreas Kotelnik at Cardiff International Arena on 22 March.

The opponent is expected to be against Yorkshire journeyman Darren Rhodes.