http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0700s...name_page.html

JOE Calzaghe has been told he'd have to wait another six months for his long-awaited super-fight.

The Welshman's promoter Frank Warren revealed last night he hopes it'll be third time lucky for record-breaking Calzaghe to finally get it on with world-class ace Glen Johnson in the New Year.

Calzaghe's proposed bumper pay-day against the Jamaican IBA light-heavyweight champion will only happen if Johnson again beats IBF title-holder Clinton Woods when they clash for a third time in the autumn.

But Warren has already spoken to Johnson's representatives at Warrior Boxing and the 37-year-old - who has defeated Antonio Tarver, Roy Jones Jnr and Woods in the last three years - has told Wales on Sunday "he's up for it" despite Calzaghe pulling out of their two previous bouts with injuries.

Warren said: "I won the purse bid for the forthcoming Johnson v Woods fight with a little help from Johnson's promoters Warrior Boxing and we've a good working relationship.

"I've spoken to them about Joe fighting Glen Johnson if he beats Woods, and that's very much a possibility. But that won't be until January or February.


"I don't think Glen Johnson is particularly bothered about the fact Joe pulled out before, just as long as he gets paid this time.


"If Clinton Woods wins, I'll then try to persuade him to fight Joe. But in the meantime, Joe will have a fight in October. We don't know who but there are four or five possibilities."


But the fact British boxing's newest superstar will have to play the waiting game until January at the earliest for his big bag of loot is a huge blow.


World No 1 super-middleweight Calzaghe wanted a step up in divisions and step up in class, by fighting Johnson quickly to capitalise on his new-found world profile having demolished Jeff Lacy in a memorable super-middleweight unification clash in March. But a January date next year will be 10 months after that exhibition of boxing from Calzaghe, with the clock ticking on his career.


Calzaghe - WBO belt-holder for a record eight-and-a-half years - withdrew from his supposed bout, scheduled for last night, because his left hand, which he broke last September fighting Evans Ashira, hadn't heeled from smashing up Lacy.


It is the second time Calzaghe has pulled out of a fight with Johnson as in 2004 he withdrew from a scheduled bout at Manchester's MEN Arena at the 11th hour suffering back spasms.


The 34-year-old, though, may now be forced to accept just a 19th mandatory defence of his WBO crown and second defence of his IBF title in the autumn while he waits for his chance for big bucks.


Johnson or the great Bernhard Hopkins apart, Calzaghe favoured an autumn scrap with his two biggest super-middleweight rivals Mikkel Kessler or Markus Beyer, but the WBA and the WBO champs are fighting each other in Copenhagen in October.


Legendary former four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jnr, who fights Prince Badi Ajamu later this month, would be a huge money-spinner as filthy-rich American TV would be very interested, but Calzaghe reckons the fallen idol's star is fading in the wake of a hat-trick of defeats - and Jones Jnr now has no title.