Joppy scored a controversial points win over Howard Eastman

Calzaghe wants the bout to take place on 24 May at Newcastle's Telewest Arena.

"The fight has not yet been confirmed, but I am 90 per cent it will go ahead," said Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren.

"Everything has been agreed in principal and I expect to be able to confirm the fight in the next few days.

"The stumbling block is Joppy's promoter (Don King) and his manager."

This should be one of my toughest fights Joe Calzaghe

Joppy, 32 - a three-time WBA middleweight champion with a 34-1-2 (25 ko) record - is a well-known and respected big-time boxer across the Atlantic.

British boxing fans will probably know him best from his fight against the then undefeated Howard Eastman for the vacant WBA title in November 2001.

Joppy won a controversial points decision, despite being dropped by Eastman in the closing stages, but the thrilling fight suggests that the American will complement Calzaghe's all-action style.

It is an attractive proposition for Joppy, who will not have to risk his title as he makes the step up to Calzaghe's weight division.

Who is William Joppy?

Should Calzaghe add Joppy's scalp to his win last April over Charles Brewer - and the Newbridge fighter should - then it could at last win over the American public and promoters.

A good performance will also boost his hopes of meeting WBA, WBC and IBF middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins.

"This should be one of my toughest fights but I am in the best shape of my life and I don't get paid for over-time.

"I see this fight though as a stepping stone to Hopkins. I've got to win in style and hope and hope the television companies pay more than what he wants.

"But if I don't get the Hopkins fight, I will have to step up to the next division. I've got nowhere to go where I am.

"I've been world champion for five and a half years, and I'm just too good for this division."

Warren is in talks with representatives of Sven Ottke in a bid to set up a showdown with Calzaghe after the Joppy fight.

The German now holds the IBF and WBA versions of the title after beating Byron Mitchell last month, but Calzaghe is still regarded by many as the best in the 168-pound division.

Warren has held talks with Ottke's representatives before, but negotiations have always broken down.

However, a fight with Joppy followed by a showdown with Ottke would make it a mouth-watering year for Calzaghe, so often denied the big contests.

The Welshman hammered journeyman Tocker Pudwill in two rounds in December, and has faced a frustrating time since as he continues to seek the big fights.