BBC SPORT | Boxing | Calzaghe prefers Hopkins bout

Undefeated world super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe says a fight against middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins is still his top priority.

World light-heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jnr marked out Calzaghe as a possible future opponent after he beat Clinton Woods on Saturday.

Jones, though, will first seek a match with WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz.

And any fight with Calzaghe would probably take place in Jones' usual light-heavyweight division, with the Welshman moving up past the 81kg barrier.

Calzaghe said: "Although I've been champion for five years and I've beaten some good fighters, I've never beaten a great fighter.

Bernard Hopkins
Hopkins holds three world middleweight belts
"That's what I need for my profile. I believe Hopkins would be perfect for me. He's 37 years old now and I know what to expect from him.

"I believe I've got the style and the tools to beat him. That would elevate me to being one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

"And that would then make for a great fight with Jones."

Calzaghe, who hopes to fight before the end of the year, added that the hand injury he sustained in the points victory over Miguel Jimenez last month had fully recovered.

Jones made short work of British challenger Woods in Portland, then said he would like to fight the undefeated WBO super-middleweight champion from Newbridge.

He's beaten some pretty good fighters

Roy Jones Jnr on Joe Calzaghe

"There's a big chance that Joe Calzaghe could be my next opponent," Jones said. "He's a good fighter, I don't underrate any fighter.

Awesome Jones outclasses Woods

"I think any guy that has the heart to come into the ring there definitely has to be something about him.

"For Joe to have had as many defences as he has - and he's beaten some pretty good fighters - he has to be something.

"But it's not my thing to rate him as a fighter, my thing - if I get into the ring with him - is to beat him as a fighter."

Jones retained his WBC, IBF and WBA titles against Woods in impressive and exciting style, picking the Sheffield fighter apart inside six rounds.

Jones improved his fight record to 47-1, with 38 victories inside the distance.


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