Is it time he received the recognition he feels he deserves?

Calzaghe, Britain's longest reigning champion, retained his WBO Super-middleweight title with a four round stoppage of American Will 'Kid Fire' McIntyre.

Following defeats for Lennox Lewis and Prince Naseem Hamed, the Welshman feels his time to bask in the limelight has come.

"I've said for four years I'm the best fighter from Britain. Naz and Lennox have been beaten. It's my time," said Calzaghe.

Calzaghe's victory takes him one step closer to taking the title of Britain's undisputed number one, with the possibility of fighting American light-heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jnr.

How do you rate Calzaghe against the best of the rest?

Calzaghe at the moment is a big fish in a small pond. The super-middleweight division is probably the weakest in boxing at the moment. Joe is a good fighter, but has he beaten anyone of true world class? Eubank was way past his prime, Woodhall and Starie are good domestic fighters and nothing more, and the fight with Robin Reid could have gone either way. Omar Sheika was over-rated, and Weit, Thornberry and McIntyre had no business being in world title fights. Until he beats guys like Sven Ottke, Thomas Tate, Antwun Echols or Charles Brewer he doesn't deserve the recognition he craves. I fear Joe would be out of his depth against Jones or Hopkins.
Neil, UK

Roy Jones won't fight Calzaghe, like he wouldn't fight Benn, Eubank or Collins. The money Jones would receive for fighting a top class European boxer, who would most probably whoop him, is similar to the money he regularly receives from beating useless Americans. Oh, and Joe would whoop him!
Jonathan, London, England

There is no use blowing one's own horn. Action, they say, speaks louder than words. If Joe feels he is a world class boxer, let him prove it by meeting Roy Jones or any sizeable boxers before he could boast of his qualities. Naz and Lennox proved that, hence their recognition.
Steve OSEI, France

Joe is without a doubt one of the best fighters Britain has. We currently have two rising stars in our midst - that of Joe and also that of Ricky "the hitman" Hatton. It is about time they received some support from the British press and the boxing public due to their abilities and their current positions within the world rankings.

Joe, I believe, can go all the way due to his mind set, and the fact that there is no out there that can touch him. Please give him a chance to prove this to the American public by allowing him to be the number one contender to the current American world champ - watch Joe kick ass. Good luck Joe
Liam, England

He is definitely Britain's number one fighter, I just wish he would get some fights televised on terrestrial TV so that most of the boxing public could watch him!
Joel Hockley, UK

I think Joe is an absolutely brilliant boxer and deserves all the credit he can get! It'll keep motor-mouth Nas quiet for a while, or for good.
Asif Mahroof, England

To even mention Joe Calzaghe in the same breath as Benn/Watson/Eubank is laughable. The difference in class is enormous. He has fought nobody of note and struggled even against these. Eubank couldn't be bothered to put in the effort because he only did it for the money and had nothing to gain from beating Calzaghe. If Joe had been on the scene in the Benn/Eubank era, nobody would have heard of him now.

I am genuinely frightened for him with all this talk of a Roy Jones fight because he would be totally out of his depth. All that said, British boxing is in such a poor state at present that Calzaghe is probably the third best boxer we have at the moment behind Naz and Lewis.
Daz, England

Calzaghe is a very good fighter, definitely Britain's best. It's just a pity that he has just missed the Benn/Eubank/Collins era and is now fighting in a division devoid of top quality fighters and may not get the recognition he deserves.
Noel Gallagher, Ireland

Joe Calzaghe is a class act, who is underrated by the British Media largely due to the fact that he isn't getting the press which has been afforded to Lewis, Naseem etc. With a bit more exposure in the Press, the British public will get to know who Joe Calzaghe is. This will only benefit him, and people may finally give him the recognition he deserves. Audley Harrison gets a lot of press, and he's done nothing. Joe Calzaghe is a WORLD CHAMPION, and barely gets a notice.
Robin Anderson, Aberdeen, Scotland

Calzaghe is undoubtedly a very good boxer. During his amateur days he was extremely successful. But he has failed to capture the public imagination simply because he is fighting in a division which is devoid of any true world-class fighters. When he has fought he hasn't performed at a level that makes the general public and people who don't really follow boxing sit up and watch. If he fought Roy Jones he would get soundly beaten, though I�m sure he would put up a good fight.
Peter Carey, Nottm, England

Joe has been the class act of British boxing for a long time. I just worry that his hands are a weakness. If he stays fit he could unite the titles.
Pete, England

Joe has everything: speed, power, self-belief, excellent conditioning, good chin and is a southpaw to boot. It is a shame he was not fighting in the Benn/Watson/Eubank/Collins era - he would have had a good chance of beating them all. He's really done a number on Eubank - okay, Eubank was a late sub going into that fight - but looked out of his depth in the very first round with Joe.

The only thing Joe has against him is that he has never been media- friendly so outside of boxing no-one knows him. My mates and I met him in a nightclub a few weeks back and nobody knew who he was - even the bouncer told him to get off the dance floor with his drink!
James Clifford, UK

If he wants recognition then the answer is simple - get some fights televised by ITV or BBC. If fighters want fame then don't hide away on Sky. Choice - fame, then fortune, or just fortune.
Huw, Wales

Calzaghe has blazing hand speed and power in both hands as well as a granite chin. Easily Britain's number one fighter
Jason Merrin, Isle of Wight

Calzaghe is certainly a talented fighter. He has quick hands, considerable power and rock solid chin. However, with the exception of Eubank he has yet to fight a top class middleweight. Naseem and Lennox on the other hand have fought top fighters and won.

Until Calzaghe fights the likes of Roy Jones Jnr he cannot really claim to be Britain's best fighter. Besides, Ricky Hatton will surely take that 'title' soon.
Neil Wilson, England

Calzaghe is unquestionably the best British boxer. Even when injured and unable to spar properly, he still dispatched his opponents. Now fully fit, he is a sight to behold.

Naz could of been the best, but believed the hype surrounding him (and emanating from his sizeable mouth) and as such was not just beaten, but outclassed. Lewis was overweight, under trained and too busy acting in a film to act like the World Champ when up against a distinctly average opponent in Rahman.

Calzaghe shows no such signs of arrogance or complacency and looks set to really make a name for himself globally. Good luck to him.
Nick, England