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Calzaghe-Hopkins fight confirmed

23/01/2008

A one-off fight between Joe Calzaghe and Bernard Hopkins will take place in Las Vegas on April 19th, it has been announced.

The non-title light heavyweight bout will be Calzaghe's first in the US, although no belt will be at stake.

The Welshman reportedly sees the fight with Hopkins, who once claimed he would "never let a white boy beat me", as a chance to go out on a high against Roy Jones Junior or Jermain Taylor.

Speaking at a press conference at Planet Hollywood in London, accompanied by promoter Frank Warren, Calzaghe said: "I know what is going to happen and how stupid [Hopkins] is going to look.

"I'm not going to lose to a white guy, a black guy, a yellow guy, a green guy or any colour guy. I'm taking a big risk going to America in the first place but it is all about challenges and I'm looking forward to it."

The 35-year-old added: "Let's hope he doesn't run, let's hope the ring is not as big as the actual arena and I'll catch him up and sort him out."

Calzaghe, who was awarded the BBC sports personality year of the award last month, will be hoping to see a repeat of thousands of UK fight fans travelling out to Las Vegas to see Ricky Hatton defeated by Floyd Mayweather.