• Light-heavyweight

Hopkins would face Cleverly ... but only after Calzaghe

ESPN staff
December 10, 2011
Bernard Hopkins could fight in the UK next year © PA Photos
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WBC light-heavyweight world champion Bernard Hopkins would consider giving Nathan Cleverly a title shot - if Cleverly's fellow Welshman Joe Calzaghe comes out of retirement to fight him first.

Hopkins remains the WBC champion despite suffering a controversial defeat to Chad Dawson in his last fight, a result that is still to be formally over-turned after Hopkins was left too injured to continue when Dawson appeared to manhandle him to the ground.

The 46-year-old has been touted as a potential opponent for WBO champion Cleverly, who is determined to make the most of his career before retiring early to focus on other opportunities. But Hopkins hinted that he might need more persuasion to get into the ring with the 24-year-old - like the chance to take Calzaghe's unbeaten record off him.

"Maybe if Joe Calzaghe gets off his rocking chair and makes a three-way tournament of this - that would be fantastic," Hopkins told Sky Sports News, when asked about a Cleverly fight.

"From what I'm hearing they are good friends, so I'd rather fight Joe Calzaghe if the choice is there, and then [take on] his protege."

However, Hopkins admitted that if Cleverly ended up being the best fight available then he would be happy to take it on.

"There's always a possibility, I never duck anyone," he added. "I love the UK - it's cold in the winter, but I've heard it's nice in the summer.

"I'm not retired, and next summer there's a chance I could be on the other side of the pond."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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