Confident Calzaghe prepared for Hopkins' dirty tricks

By Martyn Herman

ABERCARN (Reuters) - Joe Calzaghe said on Wednesday he was prepared for a dirty fight against American Bernard Hopkins in their light-heavyweight showdown in Las Vegas next month.

The 36-year-old undisputed world super-middleweight champion has waited a long time for his debut across the Atlantic and is determined the 43-year-old Hopkins will not spoil it at the 18,000-seat Thomas & Mack Centre on April 19.

"He is not known as the most exciting fighter, he is very defensive and tends to throw his head in with his right hand," Calzaghe told reporters at the gym run by his father and trainer Enzo in South Wales.

"I'm more concerned about being head-butted by him than being hit with his punches to be honest.

"He will try to make it a dirty fight but I can outbox him and when he starts losing he will make mistakes.

"I don't just want to win I want to put on a show and smash him to bits. I hope Hopkins comes to play....but I'm not holding my breath."

Calzaghe is undefeated in 44 professional fights and has been a super-middleweight world champion since a points victory over Chris Eubank in 1997.

It was only after dismantling IBF champion Jeff Lacy in Manchester two years ago that he won over the Americans.