Newz Forum: BOXING: Calzaghe waits on Hatton

BBC Sports
The Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton world championship boxing double bill has been delayed a week because Hatton has yet to find a suitable opponent.


Calzaghe was meant to make his debut at light heavyweight on 5 June against IBF champion Glen Johnson.

But the Welsh fighter will now have to wait until 12 June to step up a weight at Manchester's MEN Arena.

The delay gives Hatton extra time to find a credible opponent, after Kelson Pinto pulled out of his last fight.

Hatton stopped last-minute replacement Dennis Holbaek Pedersen of Denmark in April, after highly rated Brazilian Pinto pulled out at the last minute.

Promoter Frank Warren has had difficulty getting any of the big-name light welterweights to face WBU champion Hatton, but an opponent is expected to be confirmed during the next 48 hours.

Further on the horizon, American television network Showtime has agreed to screen an autumn fight involving Hatton versus either IBF champion Paul Spadafora or the WBA title-holder Vivian Harris.

Puerto Rican prospect Miguel Cotto, Harris' mandatory challenger, has already turned down a fight against him so Harris is now likely to face Pinto - the man who failed to show against Hatton.

"The delay is unfortunate but it has allowed us the time to find a challenger for Hatton who is fit and ready and will meet with the British Boxing Board of Control's strict regulations," Warren said.

"The main thing is that the show is still on and we are in for a fantastic evening of world championship boxing at the MEN Arena.

"Joe is in a great fight against Johnson, which is set to be an explosive encounter and from what I have heard he is looking sensational in training."

The 32-year-old Calzaghe is moving up a weight having held the WBO super middleweight title for seven years.

Tickets bought for the original date of 5 June will remain valid for the rescheduled date of 12 June.



© BBC MMIV


[Edited on 10-5-2004 by Ocelot]