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Calzaghe wants to KO Kessler

06/06/2007

Joe Calzaghe says he wants to knock out Danish fighter Mikkel Kessler if the two of them meet in a super middleweight unification bout in September.

Calzaghe had been hoping to fight American middleweight champion Jermain Taylor but a deal could not be struck so Calzaghe has decided to accept Kessler's challenge.

The Welsh fighter has held the WBO title for ten years since defeating Chris Eubank in 1997 while Kessler currently holds the WBC and WBA titles.

Calzaghe said: "Kessler is the best other super middleweight in the world - we're both head and shoulders above everyone else.

"But I believe his style is suited to me. I'm convinced I can knock him out."

Having outclassed Peter Manfredo and destroyed Jeff Lacy in his previous two fights Calzaghe is eager for tougher challenges.

The 36-year-old wants to face the best in the world for the remaining fights of his career to strengthen his place in boxing history.

He said: "These are the sort of fights I want. It's about cementing my legacy now," said Calzaghe.

The fight is likely to take place in Kessler's home town of Copenhagen but that does not worry Calzaghe.

"Kessler is the main man out there - he has got two belts and is undefeated. This is the biggest fight in boxing," he said.

Both men are undefeated in their careers. Calzaghe has won 43 fights with 32 knockouts while Kessler 29 knockouts in his 39 victories.

Calzaghe will hope that becoming undisputed champion enhances his chances of facing Taylor early next year.

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