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16:26 GMT, Thursday, 10 April 2008 17:26 UK

Woods keen on clash with Calzaghe

Clinton Woods

Clinton Woods wants an all-British battle with Joe Calzaghe because "it is the fight everybody wants".

But Woods is determined the prospective domestic super-fight will not distract him from his IBF light-heavyweight title defence against Antonio Tarver.

Woods faces Tarver in Tampa on Saturday before unbeaten Calzaghe clashes with Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas next week.

Woods said: "It is no secret that if I beat Tarver and Joe beats Hopkins, it is the fight everybody wants."

Promoters of both boxers are determined to strike a deal for a multi-million pound autumn clash that could attract 50,000 fight fans to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

WBO king Calzaghe has reigned over the super-middleweight division for 10 years but has long dreamed of being a two-weight world champion.

"There's not many challenges left for me but Clinton Woods is definitely one of them"
Joe Calzaghe

Joe Calzaghe

The Welshman is moving up to light-heavyweight for his American debut for a shot at the great Hopkins' Ring Magazine crown on 19 April.

But Calzaghe, who turned down a £1m offer to fight Woods two years ago, wants Woods's IBF light-heavyweight belt to fulfil his ambition.

Calzaghe, boxing's longest-reigning world champion, admitted: "I can't see why I'd move back down to super-middleweight again.

"There's not many challenges left for me but Clinton Woods is definitely one of them."

Calzaghe and Woods hope to cement their transatlantic reputation with their respective American showdowns making a possible meeting more lucrative to mega-rich US television companies.

Both men know, though, their grand plan is in danger of going up in smoke if their respective American dream turns into a nightmare.

Woods said: "Calzaghe is definitely the fight that I want. It really would be a super-fight and it is the natural fight to make.

606: DEBATE
Would Woods crush Calzaghe?

"I am convinced I am going to beat Tarver and I think Joe will be too fresh for Hopkins, so it should happen.

"But it is not a thought that drives me on, I have got to concentrate on beating Tarver first before I even think about Calzaghe.

"I am motivated by my family, not by the possibility of fights down the road."



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Related to this story:

Calzaghe set for Woods showdown (09 Apr 08 |  Boxing )
Calzaghe not contemplating defeat (08 Apr 08 |  Boxing )
Calzaghe suffers big-fight blow (08 Apr 08 |  Boxing )
Tarver's ex-trainer primes Woods (07 Apr 08 |  Boxing )
Woods injury-free for Tarver bout (02 Apr 08 |  Boxing )
The Calzaghe Record (04 Nov 07 |  Boxing )
Calzaghe turns down Woods offer (07 Apr 06 |  Boxing )
BBC Sport Wales coverage (07 Aug 07 |  Wales )

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