Calzaghe Rooting for Woods.

WBO World Super-Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe is keeping his fingers crossed for Clinton Woods to beat Rico Hoye tomorrow night and win the IBF Light-Heavyweight crown so he can get a shot at the Yorkshireman. Calzaghe takes on Belfast’s Brian Magee on March 18 at the Kings Hall but after ruling the 160lb ranks for over six years with a record 15 defences he is

now focused on conquering the light-heavyweight division. Woods has made it clear that he wants a showdown with the hard-hitting Welshman and a victory against Hoye will almost certainly set up the all-British dust up later this year.

“I’m hoping that Clinton wins the title but he has got a hard fight against Hoye who is a big puncher,” said Calzaghe.

He added, “Clinton is a good fighter and he proved his heart and stamina against Roy Jones and Glen Johnson and I think that this might just be his crowning moment,”

“Hoye can punch but he doesn’t have the big title-fight experience that Clinton has which will make all the difference,”

“I wish Clinton good luck and I hope he wins because then I’ll step up to light-heavyweight and destroy him,”

“He’s called me out and is confident of beating me and my ambition is to be a two-weight world champion so let’s get it on.”

Calzaghe-Magee headlines the big-fight card at the Kings Hall and chief-support features the sensational return of Belfast Eamonn Magee as he defends his WBU World Welterweight title against Demark’s Allan Vester.

A quality-packed undercard features Belfast best young prospects: Former British Welterweight Champion Neil Sinclair, super-featherweight Kevin O’Hara, heavyweight Martin Rogan, welterweight’s Paul McClosky and Stephen Hauglan, lightweight Andrew Murray and Dublin middleweight Jim Rock.