Calzaghe scores explosive win

The Mitchell bout headlined a Showtime event on US TV, and the dramatic action left the American money men promising to put up the cash to get Calzaghe in a career-defining clash.

"We have to get Joe to America and the right fight is Bernard Hopkins," said Showtime boxing chief Jay Larkin.

"Hopkins turned down a lot of money from us to fight Calzaghe last year, but after what Joe did to Mitchell we can up the ante and offer more."

Where next for Calzaghe?

The TV boss was impressed by the way Calzaghe climbed off the floor after being dropped for the first time in his life, saying he showed the instincts of a true champion.

Larkin is determined to push for the Hopkins fight, but acknowledges that the man known as 'The Executioner,' is not the easiest fighter to negotiate with.

I want a big fight in the States and Hopkins is who I'm looking for Joe Calzaghe

"With Bernard you never know, he comes to us from outer space sometimes," Larkin added.

Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren backed Showtime's plan, saying that he would be speaking to Hopkins this week and that he felt the American was made for Calzaghe's style.

Larkin talked of staging the fight in Wales - at the Millennium Stadium or Ninian Park - but both Warren and Calzaghe seem ready to fight across the Atlantic.

Hopkins still Calzaghe's focus

"I want a big fight in the States and Hopkins is who I'm looking for," said Calzaghe.

"I'm just looking forward to bashing somebody else up - and I don't want to wait another six months for that to happen."

Hopkins recently blew the chance of a fight with James Toney

Hopkins turned down an offer of �3m to face Calzaghe last year, and since his last significant fight - against Felix Trinidad in 2001 - his financial demands have blown lucrative bouts with Roy Jones Jr and James Toney.

That has left Hopkins with few options, but Calzaghe's need for the fight is equally desperate - Hopkins is the only true superstar competing near his weight division.

A proposed unification fight for Calzaghe with Sven Ottke would not appeal to the US audience, although that could happen a little further down the line after the German meets the winner of Anthony Mundine-Antwun Echols.