Joe Calzaghe has spoken of the magnitude of his fight with Mikkel Kessler as the duo prepare to meet in Cardiff on November 3.
Welsh Dragon facing his biggest test
Joe Calzaghe has spoken of the magnitude of his fight with Mikkel Kessler as the unbeaten pugilists prepare to meet in Cardiff on November 3.
The WBO super-middleweight says he is more focused than ever as he bids to tie Sven Ottke's divisional record of 21 title defences.
WBC and WBA champion Kessler brings an unblemished 39-0 record to the Millennium Stadium and Calzaghe openly admits it will be his hardest fight yet.
"Potentially this is the toughest fight I have had," said Calzaghe, who has held the WBO belt for 10 years after beating Chris Eubank in 1997.
Big name
"When I don't have a big name in front of me, then I don't perform as well as I do when I fight the best.
"I've got 25 years in boxing and you need to be excited, nervous for a fight, while training for a fight.
"Believe me, I know I have to be at my best for this fight and I will be at my best."
Victory could open up other doors for the Welshman, who is hungry for a fight in America with either Jermain Taylor or Bernard Hopkins.
"This is very possibly my last fight at super middleweight unless I get Jermain Taylor or Kelly Pavlik," Calzaghe added.
Legacy
"What else can I do to enhance my legacy in the division? Beating Kessler, both of us are head and shoulders above anybody else in the division, and then there are no more names.
"I want to fight about one or two more fights after this and then retire and go out on top.
"So for me, it's going to be about the big fights. Obviously, I'll stay at super middleweight if I get Taylor or Pavlik, if not, then I will be looking for someone like Bernard Hopkins. It would be great to fight Bernard."
