Calzaghe is still undefeated in 41 contests

It will be the Welshman's first fight since beating America's Jeff Lacy in sensational fashion in March.

The 27-year-old Bika, who is based in Australia, has been defeated just once in 23 professional encounters.

Calzaghe has been promised a "mega fight" next February by promoter Frank Warren if he comes through unscathed.

Johnny Nelson will defend his WBO cruiserweight crown against Enzo Maccarinelli on the undercard, while Andy Morris defends his British featherweight crown against Steve Foster Jnr.

The winner of next month's match between Sheffield's Clinton Woods and Glen Johnson is in the frame to fight Calzaghe in February, as are middleweight king Jermain Taylor and former light middleweight world champion Winky Wright.

Warren is confident Calzaghe's IBF belt will also be on the line against Bika.

The IBF is keen for its mandatory challenger, Robert Stieglitz, to fight for the title, but both Warren and the German's handlers have applied for an extension to allow Calzaghe a voluntary defence.

They say it's difficult to find contenders for the BBC's Sport Personality of the Year, but Joe is the outstanding candidate Promoter Frank Warren

That's because German TV dates are tied up on 14 October Mikkel Kessler's WBA/WBC unification fight with Markus Beyer.

Bika put up a good show against WBC champion Beyer in May before the fight was declared a technical draw after four rounds when the champion suffered a bad cut.

And Bika's only loss came against Australian Sam Soliman in 2002 when he dropped a majority decision.

"Bika comes to fight, he's never been stopped and he's a very tough opponent," said Warren.

"If Joe comes through the fight we've got a huge TV date lined up in February, so he certainly can't afford to slip up.

"At one stage we thought we had Markus Beyer but it took us so long to get the TV companies to agree the date, we lost him.

"We were then after Glen Johnson, but he decided to stay with the Woods fight.

"It's Joe's 20th defence and he's the longest-reigning world champion.

"They say it's difficult to find contenders for the BBC's Sport Personality of the Year, but I think Joe is the outstanding candidate.

"What other British sportsperson has dominated his sport like Joe Calzaghe has done?"

Calzaghe, who pulled out of a proposed title defence in July with an injured hand, is confident he will be fully fit come fight night.

"I've been training for the last five weeks and I'm where I want to be at this stage and my hand's fine - I'm punching hard with it."

Also on the Manchester bill, John Murray tackles Ricky Burns in a British super featherweight eliminator and Matthew Hall meets Andrew Facey in an English light middleweight title clash.