BBC SPORT | Boxing | Calzaghe faces Puerto Rican test

Miguel Jimenez has stepped into the breach to challenge Joe Calzaghe for the World Boxing Organisation super-middleweight crown.

After beating Charles Brewer, the withdrawal of David Telesco earlier this month threw doubt over whether Calzaghe would be able to make his 11th title defence as scheduled at Cardiff Castle on 17 August.

But 32-year-old Jimenez is a ready-made replacement as the rugged Puerto Rican is the WBO's No 3 ranked challenger.

Jimenez has never been stopped, which gives me that extra incentive to be the first

Joe Calzaghe

The good news of Jimenez's acceptance was followed by the announcement from Frank Warren, Calzaghe's promoter, that he has agreed terms for the Newbridge boxer to fight American great Bernard Hopkins.

Although final negotiations with American promoter Don King must be finalised, it now looks likely that Calzaghe will at last have the fight he craves against undisputed world middleweight champion Hopkins.

Both fighters must come through title defences first, but then a meeting either in Cardiff - possibly at the Millennium Stadium - or in Manchester should become reality.

The news will be an even greater incentive for 30-year-old Calzaghe to produce a thrilling display against the durable Jimenez.

"I have seen tapes of Jimenez and he looks a real tough, hard case," Calzaghe said.

"He has never been dropped or stopped in his career, which gives me that extra incentive to be the first to do it.

"This will not be an easy night's works but I want to get him out of the way early as I do not want a 12-round war.

"Jimenez can move well and hits hard, especially to the body. I predict it will be short and explosive and I will be at my best to retain my title."

Miguel Jimenez has only suffered one loss

Although born in Philadelphia - where Hopkins also comes from - Jimenez grew up in Puerto Rico where his family moved when he was three years old.

He represented Puerto Rico in the 1991 Pan American Games and then in the 1992 Olympic Games before turning professional, moving to Las Vegas to concentrate on his career.

Jimenez was in training for another fight but immediately took the golden opportunity to challenge for a world title - he has so far accumulated a record of 21 wins, with only one points loss.

Calzaghe's chief support at Cardiff Castle next month will see Jimenez's fellow Puerto Rican Daniel Santos defend his WBO light-middleweight title against Britain's hard-hitting Takaloo.

The third world title fight is an all Dominican Republic clash between Agapito Sanchez and Joan Guzman for the Vacant WBO super-bantamweight title.


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