27.03.08 Joe Calzaghe open Workout video

Joe Calzaghe looked sharp today as he put the final touches to his UK preparations ahead of his super fight with Bernard Hopkins on April 19 in Las Vegas.

The Welshman laughed and joked with the media during an open work out at his Newbridge gym, but once between the ropes, was all business.

As usual, his rapier like accuracy and speed were phenomenal, and he hardly threw a punch out of place in the gym that has been his second home for the last 20 years.

Having conquered the super-middleweight ranks with a points win over Mikkel Kessler in November in Cardiff, the 36-year-old will make his American debut against Hopkins at the Thomas and Mack Centre in three week's time.

He will now switch his training camp to Las Vegas, ahead of the Battle of the Planet in the Planet Hollywood Ring on the 19th.

"This is the fight I have been wating for," said Calzaghe, who has been chasing a clash with Hopkins for six years.

"He is widely regarded as the best at light-heavyweight, while I'm number one at super-middleweight.

"It's the fight the public wanted to see, and I can't wait to go over there and kick his arse in front of his own fans.

"Hopkins has billed this fight as America versus the UK, and that suits me down to the ground. I'm a patriotic kind of guy, and fighting for my country will only inspire me.

"I got a taste of the atmosphere in Las Vegas when I went out there for the Hatton fight, and I can't wait to hear the noise of the fans on April 19.

"I've personally sold hundreds of tickets, and I know thousands of fight fans will be making the trip to support me.

"I've always said that I'm one of the best fighters in the world, I just needed the opportunities to show everyone what I could do.

"It took a while to get my chances against Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler, but when they came, I showed everyone what I was all about. Now I'll take Hopkins apart and cement my legacy for good."

discuss in FORUM HERE