Calzaghe set to move up Calzaghe struggles to win

"I'm not superhuman and need to be active and fighting more regularly," he said after labouring to his record-equalling 15th world-title defence.

"I'll stay in the gym and be back in February, it's made me more determined to show I'm better than that display.

"My first priority is a world-title fight at light heavyweight."

Calzaghe added: "It's up to [promoter] Frank Warren, but the big fights have eluded me over the last seven years.

"If Frank can't deliver at light heavyweight it'll have to be another defence at super middleweight - I'm a fighter and need to stay active."

Calzaghe has targeted a match with either IBF light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson or WBA and WBC title-holder Antonio Tarver.

New WBC super middleweight champion Jeff Lacy has also been touted as a future opponent, but Warren has his doubts about that coming about.

I'll take something from this fight - mainly don't fight Egyptians who come flying in with head butts! Joe Calzaghe Feature: Colin Jones' verdict

"Lacy says he wants to fight Joe, but I don't think his management want it," Warren told BBC Sport Wales.

"To be fair to them, if I was Lacy's manager I wouldn't take the fight yet, but let's hope we can entice them over."

Calzaghe's poor display against Salem, where he was floored for just the second time in his career, could give Lacy's team encouragement that they would win a fight with the long-reigning Welsh champion.

"I'm not happy with my performance, but it's to be expected with my inactivity over the last 24 months," said Calzaghe, who before the Salem fight had fought less than 11 rounds in three fights over the previous two years.

"He was not the ideal opponent after so long out. It was the dirtiest fight I've ever been involved in, my head feels like it's been hit by a sledgehammer because of all the head butts.

"All world champions have to win ugly sometimes. You never stop learning and I'll take something from this fight - mainly don't fight Egyptians who come flying in with head butts!

"It hasn't been an awful year. I've had two defences and two wins - I've still got my belt and I'm still world champion, and 2005 is going to be my year."