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Boxing

Taylor and Calzaghe camps close on deal

17/05/2007

Joe Calzaghe's pursuit of a career-defining contest with middleweight king Jermain Taylor looks to be nearing a successful conclusion with the American's promoter insisting his man is keen for the fight to happen.

Lou DiBella told the BBC that Taylor would even cross the Atlantic for a fight staged in Calzaghe's home city of Cardiff should his valuation of the fight purse be meet.

Frank Warren, Calzaghe's representative, had a $4 million offer snubbed last month, but Taylor's determination to hold out for a $10 million fee for the bout has already crumbled with DiBella now suggesting that his client's signature is worth $6 million.

"A $4 million offer was ridiculous and frankly Frank asked for more money guaranteed on Joe's side," DiBella said.

"If HBO pays the same money they paid for the Winky Wright fight, I will take US television [revenue] and let Frank keep the gate, the sponsorship, and the British and other international TV.

"Our preference is to fight Calzaghe, we've indicated we're even willing to go to Cardiff or London to make the fight happen, but we're not willing to take on unfair economic terms."

Taylor earned $6 million on his way to a points draw with Wright as part of a lucrative pay-per-view television deal in June last year.

The WBO and WBC champion will defend his titles again this weekend against Cory Spinks with Calzaghe watching on from ringside as he attempts to ramp up American public demand for his own chance to meet the Little Rock fighter.

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