BBC SPORT | Boxing | Cocky Calzaghe eyes the Executioner

WBO super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe says he is in great shape for his 14 December showdown with Thomas Tate.

But Calzaghe is already looking beyond that to a "superfight" with Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins.

The Welshman is confident that the fight - scuppered earlier this year by Hopkins' purse demands - can be arranged for next summer at the Millennium Stadium.

Calzaghe eyes Hopkins showdown

Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins
Hopkins has bad-mouthed Calzaghe in the press

And Calzaghe is sure that he can dispose of the WBC, WBA and IBF Middleweight champion, rated by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

"I'll destroy him," said Calzaghe. "He's 37 now and his last good win was against Felix Trinidad 14 months ago.

"He's said some pretty derogatory things about me, that I haven't beaten anybody and don't deserve to be in the same ring with him.

"If that's the case why has he been avoiding me? I'll do a winner-takes-all - let's put our money together and go for that. Perhaps he knows it's likely to be his last fight.

I like Ricky Hatton, but he's my understudy

Joe Calzaghe

"I've been champion for five years and I want to fight the great fighters. I want to prove that I'm not just the best super middleweight in the world, but the best pound-for-pound."

Understudy

A bullish Calzaghe was adamant that the 14 December bill he shares with Ricky Hatton at the Telewest Arena, Newcastle, was really his show.

"I like Ricky, he's a nice guy and a great fighter, but I'm the world champion on the night, he's my understudy," said the Newbridge brawler.

Hatton will defend his WBU Light Welterweight title against Brazilian Antonio Mesquita.

Thomas Tate
Tate has only been stopped once in his career

Tate

Calzaghe was in more respectful mood when discussing his opponent on the night, Thomas Tate.

"Tate's a very experienced US fighter who's only been stopped once, by the great Roy Jones Jr," Calzaghe added.

Profile of Thomas Tate

"Like Charles Brewer, he's well known across the Atlantic but not in the UK. This fight is of the same standard as the Brewer match.

"I'm in great form, punching hard, and I've got something to aim for - to follow Roy Jones and be the second man to knock this guy out.

"I need to put on a big fight because 2003 is going to be my year."

Calzaghe v Brewer


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