 |  Lacy hasn't yet got the kind of high profile needed to make a big-money fight |
Joe Calzaghe has discounted the chances of meeting super middleweight rival Jeff Lacy in the near future. New IBF champion Lacy said he hoped to meet WBO king Calzaghe, and the Welsh fighter's promoter Frank Warren has opened negotiations for the fight.
But, speaking in his column for the South Wales Argus, Calzaghe said: "I hope the fight comes off but I think it may be 12 months away yet."
The 32-year-old Calzaghe still hopes to land a light heavyweight title shot.
The targets are IBF champion Glen Johnson and WBC and WBA title holder Antonio Tarver.
Calzaghe was keen to praise Lacy, though, saying he was glad that the American defeated "loudmouth" Syd Vanderpool.
"I think and hope maybe he [Lacy] and I have been on a collision course since we both appeared on the same Showtime bill at Cardiff Castle back in August 2002," said Calzaghe.
"A unification fight with him is certainly something I would be interested in, I have been trying to unify the super middleweight division for years. "Although Lacy is highly thought of in America and among his fellow boxers, he has only had 18 fights and hasn't yet got the kind of high profile needed to make a big-money fight, though he has got the backing of US TV station Showtime.
"At least Lacy is talking the right language and though I would probably have to go to America to make the fight, I would be prepared to do that for the right money."
Meanwhile, Calzaghe has to concentrate his mind on the 15th defence of his super middleweight crown when he faces Egyptian Kabary Salem in Edinburgh on 22 October.
"Sparring has been going well and the only real concern in the build up to the fight is the possibility of being ring rusty as I haven't fought since February," said Calzaghe.
"But I have had longer periods without a fight in the past and returned to the ring in style and I expect to do so again and do a number on the Egyptian.
"Salem's not in my league and there is no way he can beat me."
MMIX
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