 Joe Calzaghe will be flying the flag in America |
Joe Calzaghe has been handed the chance to boost his growing standing with American boxing fans thanks to HBO. The US cable television giant has decided to hand Calzaghe, 34, his network debut when he defends his WBO, IBF and IBO super-middleweight titles.
The other side of the Atlantic sat up and took notice of Calzaghe when he demolished American Jeff Lacy in March.
Now HBO has decided the Welshman's 14 October defence against Sakio Bika is worthy fare for its audience.
Calzaghe faces the 27-year-old Cameroonian, who impressed recently in a no-contest against WBC Champion Markus Beyer in Germany, at Manchester's MEN Arena on 14 October.
HBO will show the fight on its Boxing After Dark programme, which will air on same-day tape delay at 11 pm ET/PT.
"We are extremely pleased to be able to bring this exciting fight to our subscribers, Joe is clearly one of the brightest talents in the sport today," the HBO senior vice-president of programming, Kery Davis, said.
The decision to show the Calzaghe defence could also have benefits for his compatriot and stablemate Enzo Maccarinelli.
HBO is also considering showing the cruiserweight title bout between long-reigning WBO champion Johnny Nelson and rising contender Maccarinelli.
Calzaghe had been due to make his HBO debut last July against Glen Johnson before an injury scuppered that plan.
It seemed Calzaghe's chance had gone, at least for 2006, but a series of problems with other proposed promotions turned HBO's thoughts to Calzaghe.
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