By Ben Dirs

Calzaghe (left) is seven years younger than Hopkins

Joe Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren has cast doubt on a potential clash with American legend Bernard Hopkins.

Hopkins said he would "love" to fight Calzaghe following the Welshman's defeat of Mikkel Kessler on Sunday.

But Warren suggested Hopkins, 42, would rather not face Calzaghe, 35, even in the United States, because he might be scared of losing.

"Hopkins knows he will be beaten by Joe. That's why I feel that it will be a struggle to get him," said Warren.

Interview: Joe Calzaghe

Warren added that he had came close to securing a fight with the former middleweight king before, but that the fight had fallen through because of Hopkins' purse demands.

"We did a deal with Bernard Hopkins. It took us 30 minutes to do the deal five or six years ago," said Warren.

It would be a tough challenge but, listen, Hopkins is 42 - it's a tough challenge for him Joe Calzaghe

"We agreed terms, the lawyers were on the telephone, everything's done. Twenty-four hours later Hopkins demanded double the amount of money."

Warren called on American network HBO to force Hopkins to take the Calzaghe fight rather than a proposed rematch with Winky Wright, the fighter he beat on points in July.

"We talked our heads off yesterday and the ball's in his court," Warren said.

"But I'm not going to push his name any more. What has he got in front of him? He has a rematch with Winky Wright which I'm sure the people who make Prozac and Mogadon will be queuing up to sponsor.

"Bernard keeps saying what a big name he is but is he a big-name fighter? Let's get the fight on and we will do it in the States but it's about Joe getting well paid."

Meanwhile, Hopkins said any fight with Calzaghe would have to be in the USA.

"I have no interest in going there. He has to bring his butt here to fight the living legend Bernard Hopkins," said the light heavyweight king.

"I think he understands now and Frank Warren understands that he needs that final stamp of approval from the American boxing writers and the fans.

"He doesn't have that name of that elite opponent from America on his resumé.

"Bernard Hopkins is the guy that Calzaghe and Frank Warren believe they have to defeat to get that stamp of approval over here in America."

Calzaghe has already said he is happy to fight Hopkins anywhere.

"It may mean me going to somewhere like Madison Square Garden," the Newbridge man told BBC Sport. "That would be a fantastic way to end my career.

"It would be a tough challenge but, listen, Hopkins is 42 - it's a tough challenge for him. I've just proved to everybody, even at this stage of my career, I'm still at my peak.

"I had to be at my peak to beat Mikkel Kessler. He's 28, a tremendous fighter, world champion, and after six or seven rounds I was pulling away with the fight.

"I was the one who was fittest at the end. That's testimony to my fitness and my dedication to the sport."