From the BBC


America's Chad Dawson claims talks have opened between Joe Calzaghe's camp and his own, suggesting the Welshman might not be retiring after all.

British radio station Talksport reported on Thursday that Calzaghe, 36, would not fight on following his win over Roy Jones Jr a fortnight ago.

But Dawson said: "There's a little talk going on between the two parties.

"It's definitely a fight I want, it's something I've wanted since Calzaghe stepped up to light-heavyweight."

Unbeaten Dawson, 26, is in Las Vegas for Saturday's fight between Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi.

Dawson is the IBF light-heavyweight champion and holds wins over former 175lb title-holders Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson.

Chad Dawson is a good young fighter, but no-one cares about him, a fight against him doesn't mean anything

However, he is a virtual unknown outside boxing circles and it is difficult to see what Calzaghe would gain from fighting him.

Following his demolition of former great Jones in New York , Calzaghe said he would make a decision after Christmas as to whether he would hang up his gloves.

His family are said to be against him continuing, including his father and trainer Enzo.

However, the chance to prove himself against a younger fighter following defeats of Bernard Hopkins and Jones might prove too much for Calzaghe, who is unbeaten in 46 fights, to resist.

The chance to bow out in front of his beloved Welsh fans at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium could also be too great a temptation.

"He's definitely not retiring," said Dawson's manager Mike Criscio. "And we'd go to the UK in a heartbeat. In front of 72,000 people in Wales, that would be a great fight."

The world's top light-heavyweights are queuing up to fight Calzaghe, with Tarver, Johnson and Hopkins all putting their name forward, as well former middleweight king Jermain Taylor, who is currently campaigning at super-middle.

Malignaggi's promoter Lou DiBella also handles Johnson and Taylor and is extremely keen to make a match.

"I would put Jermain Taylor in with Calzaghe if I got the opportunity, but I don't think I'm going to get the opportunity," said DiBella.

"Chad Dawson is a good young fighter, but no-one cares about him, a fight against him doesn't mean anything, even in the US.

"But Glen Johnson was robbed against Dawson [Dawson won a unanimous decision in April], he knocked out Roy Jones and he beat Antonio Tarver and it would be a great, great fight for Joe Calzaghe to go out with."