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Calzaghe and Woods open talks

20/11/2007

Joe Calzaghe's next fight could be an all-British affair after it was confirmed that the super middleweight king is in talks with Clinton Woods.

Woods, who fights out of Sheffield, is the current IBF light heavyweight champion and has long spoken of his determination to face the Newbridge southpaw.

Frank Warren, Calazaghe's promoter, confirmed that initial discussions had been held with Woods' camp, but stressed his client's next opponent was still far from decided.

"The fight was only a few weeks ago and I haven't had chance to sit down with Joe yet," he said to PA Sport.

"There have been some preliminary talks, but there's nothing at the moment."

Calzaghe brought together the WBC, WBA and WBO belts in his division with a courageous victory over the younger Mikkel Kessler earlier this month and has stated that he wants some big-money bouts with which to finish his career over the next year.

Bernard Hopkins had been Calzaghe's target in the immediate aftermath of his triumph, but the 42-year-old American is a notoriously cagey negotiator and may prefer to renew his rivalry with fellow veteran Roy Jones.

For his part Woods is content to allow his own promoter, Dennis Hobson, to conduct negotiations on his behalf.

"I don't know anything, I leave all the negotiations to Dennis. I trust him and I've heard nothing, I've been with the kids all day," he said.