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JOE: I WANT TARVER
Iain Axon 27/04/06
WBO/IBF super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe today said he will target Antonio Tarver after is homecoming fight in July at the Millennium Stadium.

Calzaghe tops a bumper card on July 8 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff - which will be initially set up for an audience of 25,000 - in the first defence of his combined titles.

An American opponent is likely to be announced on Monday, but Calzaghe is already contemplating a move to light-heavyweight and a fight against world number one Tarver.

That could take place in the autumn providing Calzaghe wins on the eve of the World Cup final.

And Calzaghe believes he can make the world class credentials of the "Magic Man" go up in a puff of smoke.

"If Antonio Tarver comes through against Bernard Hopkins, and I think he will because of the size difference, that will be the fight I'm most interested in," said Calzaghe.

"I view him the same as I did Jeff Lacy. I don't see him as anything special, he has been beaten three times, he's tall, he's awkward and he's a southpaw, but as far as I am concerned I'll beat him if given the opportunity."

Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren also said that he was keen on the Tarver fight, which is now much easier to make given the Welshman's high profile in the States following his superb win over Lacy.

"I think Tarver will have two options if he beats Hopkins, and that is to fight Calzaghe or move up," said Warren.

"I think Tarver and Calzaghe will be another big fight; it's competitive, there's a lot of questions to be asked but Joe does have to come through on July 8.

"I would like it to be here in the UK, but I think Joe beats Tarver wherever he fights him.

"But importantly we have made a point about fighting abroad. Everyone says you have to go to the States to make your name but the American Boxing Writers have made Ricky Hatton their boxer of the year and he hasn't fought in the States."

Should be easy to make with Joe on HBO now