Frank Warren
"IT now seems almost certain Joe Calzaghe will fight Mikkel Kessler on November 3 in Cardiff — and the fight will smash all British box office records.
I’ve just got a few loose ends to tie up — including some with Joe — but all the major obstacles have now been overcome.
Most importantly of all, I’ve agreed terms with Kessler’s team, who are happy to come to the UK.
The fight will probably be held at the Millennium Stadium, where we got a crowd of 35,000 for Calzaghe’s WBO super-middleweight title defence in April against Peter Manfredo Jr.
With Kessler bringing his WBA and WBC titles to the party, I expect at least 60,000 to be in attendance. As a result, both fighters will be getting career-high purses.
For me, it’s the biggest fight in the world at the moment bar none, a showdown all the public want to see. That’s why I’ve battled hard to get it on, shifting the date back six weeks from September 22 after there was a problem with US TV.
It can’t go on without US money, but I’m now in a position where I can deliver.
Calzaghe has been a world champion for the last 10 years, is unbeaten in 43 fights and one of the pound-for-pound best fighters around.
There’s only one man who can challenge his status as the best super-middleweight on the planet — and that man is Kessler.
Like Calzaghe, the Dane is also undefeated and will start the fight many people’s favourite following a series of comprehensive victories. At 28, he is younger by seven years.
But although Joe is coming towards the end of his career, I fully expect him to do the business.
The fight isn’t dissimilar to Joe’s March 2006 clash with IBF champion Jeff Lacy, before which the big-punching American was hailed as the future of the sport.
Lacy hardly landed a punch in what was a Calzaghe masterclass.
He’ll need to be at his best against Kessler but he’s so good I’d back him time and time again.
Over the years the likes of Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr and Sven Ottke have turned down fights against Calzaghe, denying him the opportunity to prove he’s the best.
When he beats Kessler, no one will be able to question how good he is."
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Good to see this is finally going to happen and in my hometown. At last!

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