Calzaghe promised Lacy fight

If IBF super middleweight holder Lacy beats Robin Reid in August, then the American will face WBO champ Calzaghe in either Manchester or Cardiff.

"I have waited for years for this kind of fight and it is what I need to put me on the next level," said Calzaghe.

"It has been destroying the division because the other champions do not want to fight me."

The fight - providing Lacy does see off Reid first - will be another huge boost to British boxing following last weekend's thrilling light welterweight unification battle that saw Ricky Hatton beat Kostya Tszyu.

Calzaghe now at last has the opportunity to face a fellow title holder of genuine class himself.

"I've been champion (WBO) for eight years and it's hard to keep the same intensity when you fight guys who are just looking to survive," Calzaghe added.

Lacy has won all 19 of his professional contests, including a first-round stoppage of Jason Collins on a Calzaghe undercard slot at Cardiff Castle three years ago.

Finally Joe Calzaghe will get his unification match against somebody who is willing to put his title on the line Promoter Frank Warren

The all-action Floridian is relishing his meeting with Calzaghe but insisted he would not let the prospective clash deflect attention from his defence against Manchester's Reid.

"Ever since I became professional I've wanted to fight the best and really prove myself," Lacy said.

"It is my goal to beat Joe and become undisputed champion. But for the moment nothing is finalised and first I have to get past Reid."

Calzaghe's promoter, Frank Warren, said he believed the contest would end unwarranted criticism of Calzaghe for not fighting some of the other champions in his division.

Last month Calzaghe was forced to fulfil a mandatory obligation against Mario Veit - a man he had previously beaten inside a round - in Germany and this time saw off the challenger in six rounds.

Warren said: "It has not been a question of Joe avoiding people. We have tried to make these big fights for Joe.

"These are the fights that will get his adrenaline going and these are the fights he wants.

"Finally he will get his unification match against somebody who is willing to put his title on the line."