By Iain Axon, www.FrankWarren.tv: Joe Calzaghe will tackle Bernard Hopkins at the Thomas and Mack Centre in Las Vegas on April 19, it was confirmed today at a London press conference. The fight will take place at light-heavyweight and will be screened by HBO in America and Setanta Sports in the UK. One of boxing’s worst kept secrets, the fight will see The Ring Magazine’s prestigious light-heavyweight title, currently held by Hopkins, up for grabs..
Calzaghe, 44-0 (32), will make his debut both in America and at 175 pounds having unified the super-middleweight division by adding Mikkel Kessler’s WBA/WBC titles to his own WBO crown in November last year.
The 35-year-old clashed with Hopkins at the weigh-in for Hatton/Mayweather in December, and a series of challenges have been issued by each boxer since.
Hopkins, who turned 43 last week, is a former undisputed middleweight world champion with an impressive 48-4-1 (32) record.
After debuting at light-heavyweight in 2006, he has beaten both Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright, although his fight against the latter was made at 170 pounds.
“This is a dream come true,” said Calzaghe, who has patiently chased a fight with Hopkins for the best part of a decade.
“People always ask me ‘When are you going to America?’ and now they’ve got their answer. I won’t be taking Hopkins lightly, but I believe I have the tools to beat him.”
Promoter Frank Warren, who will promote the fight in partnership with Hopkins’ handlers, Golden Boy Promotions, added: “It’s taken a lot of hard work but I’m delighted that we have a deal.
“I’ve always wanted Joe to fight Hopkins, because I believe he has the beating of him.
“We’ve seen in the past how many British fight fans have gone to America to see fights involving our guys, and I’m sure people will go in their thousands again.”