Where next for Calzaghe?

Mkrtchyan, known as 'the Matador,' is the WBO's number-one challenger and the chance to fulfil his mandatory title duties makes this an attractive stop-gap fight for Calzaghe.

Mkrtchyan won the right to challenge Calzaghe with a shock three-round KO of long-time WBO number one Freeman Barr in May this year.

The fight will be held at the Cardiff Ice Rink on 6 December, with an undercard featuring Wayne Alexander, Jamie Arthur, Gavin Rees, and WBU champions Takaloo and Enzo Maccarinelli.

The 26-year-old Mkrtchyan has a record of 18-1-0 (13 KOs), but there are no recognised names on his record and he is little known outside his homeland.

However, his three-round stoppage of Barr compares favourably to Charles Brewer's recent performance against the same opponent - it took Brewer five rounds to get the job done.

It's up to Frank Warren to get me the fight I deserve Joe Calzaghe

"These Armenians are all well-schooled as amateurs so I will have to make sure I am on top form," said Calzaghe.

"He's going to be a hungry fighter and will put up a tremendous challenge.

"You're always aware of what the Americans can do, but you have to be more wary when you approach someone like this."

If the 31-year-old Welshman sees this as a fill-in fight, he remains hopeful of landing a major contest at super-middle in March.

If that does not materialise, he says he will move up to light-heavyweight.

"The super-middleweight division is stale and it has always been my ambition to be a two-weight champion," said the Newbridge brawler.

"One guy, Silvio Branco, used to be at my weight and he moved up to light-heavy and won the WBA world championship last Friday when he stopped Frenchman Mehdi Sahnoune, the holder, in eleven rounds.

"I've asked Frank Warren to get me a shot at him and if I get that I will definitely be moving up. Light-heavyweight will give me fresh opportunites and chances.

"Now it's up to Frank to get me the fight I deserve."