WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe says he deserves more credit for his achievements than Chris Eubank. The 32-year-old Welshman will equal Eubank's record of 15 title defences if he overcomes Egyptian Kabary Salem at Ingliston next month.
Calzaghe has remained unbeaten after beating Eubank in 1997 and his career record boast 37 wins and no losses.
"I regard my opponents as being much better than those of Chris Eubank's," said Calzaghe.
"Take away Nigel Benn and Michael Watson and his other opponents weren't much good.
"I beat top-rated American fighters like Byron Mitchell and Charlie Brewer, guys who were top-drawer fighters, and there were also others like Robin Reid and Richie Woodhall, people overlook that.
 |  I just hope I get that career-defining fight against Jones or Tarver |
"I never had many easy rides. Of the other fighters who you could say were softer, they had good records and I made them look bad."
However despite his impressive record, Calzaghe says he will not be taking Salem lightly when the pair come together in Edinburgh on 22 October.
"It's a stumbling block for any fighter to believe he's too good," he said. "At the end of the day, you keep your feet on the ground and train like a challenger.
"That's why I've kept my title so long. I've tried to give everybody respect because I know that, if I'm not 100% in the ring, then that's when fighters get beat.
"Nothing is a foregone conclusion and it takes only one second to land a punch and I'm aware of that.
"This guy is going to have the opportunity of a lifetime and, believe me, he'll go for it 100%." Longer term, Calzaghe is eyeing up a possible clash against either Roy Jones or Antonio Tarver to raise his profile.
"I've got respect in boxing circles and I'm rated number one super-middleweight in the world but, as far as profile is concerned, outside of boxing it's not high," he said.
"But I'm a private person and I don't crave that fame.
"I just hope I get that career-defining fight against Jones or Tarver. I'm 32 now, so it has to happen in the next 12 months.
"If I don't get that fight to show everyone, and even myself, how good I am, that's the one thing I'll always regret.
"I am frustrated that it hasn't happened before now. I know Frank Warren is in America talking to Jones' and Tarver's people so let's hope that, if I put on a good performance against Salem, I can get one of them."
MMIX
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