|  | | Last Updated: Monday, 2 February, 2004, 15:17 GMT |
| | WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe is still searching for a 'superfight' - we take a look at potential opponents and the likelihood of the match being made. Glen Johnson Pros
Victory would give Calzaghe the IBF light-heavyweight crown, making him a two-weight champion
Johnson is a solid fighter, but at 35 is entering the veteran phase
The Miami boxer is prepared to travel to meet Calzaghe on his own terms
The IBF belt is a prestigious prize that would leave Calzaghe in a strong bargaining position Cons
Johnson knows how much Calzaghe wants his belt and could try to dictate terms over purse and venue
Johnson is strong and experienced and would let Calzaghe know all about the demands of fighting at a new weight Verdict: There seem few obstacles to making this match...
Zsolt Erdei Pros
Victory would give Calzaghe the WBO light-heavyweight crown, making him a two-weight champion
Under WBO rules, the Welshman could move directly up from super-middle and challenge for the title
Other than a surprise win over Julio Gonzalez to take the title, there are few names on the Hungarian's 19-0 record Cons
Erdei is undefeated and an unknown proposition. It could be a dangerous fight at light-heavy
A much more difficult fight to sell than Julio Gonzalez
It is difficult to get Erdei to fight outside his adopted Germany, where points decisions almost invariably go to the home boxer Verdict: All depends on how hard the WBO push Erdei to take Calzaghe's challenge on the Welshman's terms
Antonio Tarver Pros
Another possibility at light-heavy, Tarver's profile has been raised significantly by his controversial loss to Roy Jones Jr
If a rematch with Jones is not arranged shortly, Tarver could be awarded the WBC belt
Widely regarded as the number-one light-heavyweight in the world
Although many feel Tarver defeated Jones Jr, there was little in his performance that would leave Calzaghe quaking in his boots Cons
Tarver's confidence in his ability will be boosted by the performance against Jones Jr
A huge ask for Calzaghe's first bout at light-heavy, the Welshman would probably first prefer to get an easier bout under his belt at the new weight
Tarver is currently without a title Verdict: A fight that will raise huge interest if Calzaghe moves up, unclear whether he would risk it first-time out at light-heavy
Bernard Hopkins Pros
A world-respected name, Hopkins is regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. This would be a true 'superfight'
Hopkins is having trouble finding suitable opponents to interest the tv networks and justify the huge purses he demands
Having blown possible fights with Roy Jones Jr and James Toney, Hopkins is searching round for alternatives
Calzaghe's impressive performance against Byron Mitchell has raised the Welshman's profile in the States - and upped the cash that could be brought to the table for a Hopkins bout
The champion is ageing and slowing. This could be the time for Calzaghe to catch him and add a huge scalp to his record Cons
A difficult man to pin to a contract. Frank Warren tried to make the match in 2002, but Hopkins priced himself out of the market
Though past his best, 'The Executioner' is a formidable foe. Raised himself for his major fights against William Joppy and the awesome Felix Trinidad
Hopkins is throwing names of other potential opponents round like confetti
Calzaghe will have to travel to the States to get his man Verdict: Hopkins is more likely to fight a big-name light-middle moving up the divisions
Jeff Lacy Pros
Building a reputation in the States where calls are growing for him to get a shot at one of the European champions
Lacy is a big favourite of US TV network Showtime's boss Jay Larkin
Brings an undefeated record and an exciting style Cons
Lacy has not been in with anyone of Calzaghe's class and does not look ready for the Welshman Verdict: Likely if Calzaghe stays at super-middle
Roy Jones Jr Pros
Perhaps the biggest name in the boxing world and one of the biggest draws
Jones Jr's move back down to light-heavy against Antonio Tarver brings him back within Calzaghe's radar
It has been some years since Jones Jr took a really challenging fight that pushed the champ Cons
Jones Jr stunned the world with his move up to heavyweight and the big-money draws lie in that division. He has targeted one last big fight against Mike Tyson before retiring
Despite a poor show against Tarver, Jones Jr is one of the best fighters the world has seen - few would fancy Calzaghe's chances Verdict: Not as far-fetched as it seemed after Jones Jr's move to heavyweight
Sven Ottke Pros
A unification bout that could add the IBF and WBA belts to Calzaghe's WBO crown
Ottke is a respected champion and taking his scalp would boost Calzaghe's reputation
The German is a light puncher, unlikely to have the armoury to trouble Calzaghe
Ottke is talking about retirement and could be looking for a last big pay day Cons
A difficult fight to sell outside Britain and Germany
Calzaghe will have to travel to the Germans' back-yard to face him
Ottke is a cagey fighter. If Calzaghe has a recurrence of his hand problems he may find it difficult to win a points decision, especially in Germany
Would the German risk his unbeaten record so late in his career? Verdict: The German looks to have backed away from a fight
Anthony Mundine Pros
An easy unification route against the new WBA champion
Cons
Persuading Mundine to risk his title against Calzaghe would be difficult and a match-up in Australia would probably be demanded Verdict: Possible
Antwun Echols Pros
A highly regarded super-middleweight with a decent record
Echols needs a route back to the big time after his loss to Anthony Mundine
If Calzaghe is serious about his wish to fight in the States, Echols would be a good entry to the US market Cons
Echols is notorious for his rough-house tactics
Much of the interest went when Echols lost to Mundine Verdict: Possible
Eric Lucas Pros
Calzaghe would be confident of a comfortable win against the Canadian
Would add another ex-world champion scalp to Calzaghe's record and negotiations could be eased with Lucas looking for a way back to the top table Cons
Most of the interest in this fight died when Lucas lost his WBC crown to Markus Beyer Verdict: Possible
Howard Eastman Pros
A big domestic clash from a serious challenger
Eastman's assets are speed, accuracy and strength. Calzaghe could match him on the first two, and with the Battersea boxer having to move up to super-middle the champ would expect to have the edge in muscle
Eastman is running out of credible opponents at middleweight and is unlikely to get a William Joppy rematch or a date with Bernard Hopkins Cons
Little interest outside the UK in this clash
Eastman fights on the BBC, Calzaghe on Sky Verdict: Possible
Markus Beyer Pros
A unification bout that could add the WBC belt to Calzaghe's WBO crown
Beyer is not in the Welshman's class Cons
A difficult fight to sell outside Britain and Germany
Verdict: Possible
Brian Magee Pros
Another decent domestic fight that could prove popular with the UK market Cons
No interest in the fight outside Britain. Even in the UK it would not be considered a major challenge for the Welshman
Verdict: Magee is a long way from Calzaghe at the moment
Johnny Nelson Pros
An all-British fight that would be a big seller in the country
Beating Nelson at cruiserweight would give Calzaghe a shot at being a champion at three different weights
Calzaghe sees little to fear in Nelson Cons
No US interest in this match
Stepping up two weights in one leap is unlikely - Calzaghe would need warm-up fights
Will Nelson still be champion by the time Calzaghe is ready for him? Verdict: Unlikely
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