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Calzaghe departs for Vegas confident of beating Hopkins

05/04/2008

Joe Calzaghe has left to finish his training in Las Vegas ahead of his showdown with Bernard Hopkins fully confident of beating the American.

Calzaghe, the undisputed champion at super middleweight, is moving up to light heavyweight to take on Hopkins, but believes the extra weight will help him win.

The Welshman says his punches will be more forceful at light heavyweight but that he can still use his trademark speed to dominate his opponent.

Calzaghe said: "Fighting at 175lbs will be a massive help. I'll be stronger and more hydrated. My speed will still be there but the big difference will be in my punching power."

Hopkins, nicknamed 'The Executioner', dominated the middleweight division for ten years but never answered Calzaghe's calls to move up to super middleweight and take him on.

The 43-year-old has won both his fights at light heavyweight since returning to the ring following a brief retirement but Calzaghe remains confident of beating Hopkins in his first outing in the weight class.

He said: "Until you actually fight you don't really know how things will go, but as far as I'm concerned I'll be much better at the weight. I am 100 per cent sure I am going to stop Hopkins and win the fight."

The fight will be a rare appearance away from the UK for Calzaghe but the Welshman says he is not worried that Hopkins will have the advantage of the home crowd.

Calzaghe says all the referee will have to do on the night is count to ten.

"The only difference is whether the referee or judges will be against you but it won't matter in this fight. I have every respect for [referee] Joe Cortez, and all he'll have to do anyway is count Hopkins out," Calzaghe insisted.

The fight will take place at the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, on April 19th.