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Last Updated: Saturday, 23 October, 2004, 13:17 GMT 14:17 UK
Calzaghe set for move up weights
Joe Calzaghe
Joe Calzaghe says he wants to move up to light heavyweight after defending his world super middleweight title for a 15th time on Friday.

The 32-year-old Welshman had to pick himself off the canvas to produce a lacklustre points win over Kabary Salem and admitted it was time for a change.

"I've been making this weight for so long, now it is a struggle," he said.

"I believe I will be a better fighter at 175lbs. I am looking to move up and become a two-weight champion."

Calzaghe said one of the problems was that the fighters he wanted to meet were unwilling to take him on, but he admitted they might be more willing after this below-par display.

Johnson is the man I want but I'm only human at the end of the day and I definitely need to be fighting more regularly
Joe Calzaghe
"The problem is the champions don't want to fight me - they price themselves out of the fight," he said.

"Let's hope they watch that fight and take a bit of confidence - but believe me I won't fight like that again."

IBF light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson remains the man Calzaghe would most like to fight, with two previous meetings scrapped due to injury.

But Calzaghe knows he cannot afford to wait for the bout to come along.

"Johnson is the man I want but I'm only human at the end of the day and I definitely need to be fighting more regularly," he said.

Promoter Frank Warren supported Calzaghe's comments about needing a fresh challenge, rather than fighting the likes of Salem.

"We have got to make a big fight for Joe now. I know how hard it is for him to get motivated for fights like this," he said.




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