Tarver targets Calzaghe

Published on Tuesday 22 April 2008 10:35

IBF light-heavyweight world champion Antonio Tarver has insisted he is the fighter Joe Calzaghe must face if the Welshman wants to cement his legacy as one of boxing's all-time greats.

Tarver, who stunned Sheffield's Clinton Woods earlier this month to take the Briton's title and possibly end his career, has joined Roy Jones in offering to tackle Calzaghe on either side of the Atlantic.

The American is desperate to unify the 175lb division but would be happy to postpone that aim to fight the Newbridge boxer in what appears sure to be the unbeaten star's last bout. Calzaghe moved up from super-middleweight to defeat Bernard Hopkins at the weekend and while no official title was at stake, his victory has propelled him to the summit of the division.

Legendary four-weight world champion Jones is currently Calzaghe's most likely opponent.

However, Tarver said: "Everyone was mentioned as Calzaghe's potential next opponent but me, the true light-heavyweight champion."