Former champion hopeful of Welsh world title fight

Joe Calzaghe sees Nathan Cleverly coming through Saturday’s WBO title defence against Tony Bellew in Liverpool and is then dreaming of an all-Welsh light-heavyweight world title bout after former cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli dropped down to 175lbs.

Calzaghe, 39, retired undefeated with 46 wins in 2008 and has constantly been linked with a return to the ring although the ‘Pride of Wales’ is content to sit back and enjoy watching the big fights, with Cleverly v Maccarinelli top of his wish list.

"There are a lot of reasons why that fight would be a sell - they are former stablemates," Calzaghe told The BBC.

"There is a little bit of needle between the both of them so you have the ingredients for a huge fight."

31 year-old Maccarinelli hasn’t fought in over a year since a devastating knockout loss against Alexander Frenkel which prompted the move down from 200lbs to 175lbs and Calzaghe believes that the Swansea fighter has to settle into the weight before a potential fight with Cleverly.

"He needs to prove himself after a bad defeat. He needs a comeback fight and to look impressive," He told BBC Radio Wales' Back Page programme.

"I've seen him train and he looks impressive. My dad's got him in great shape. I've seen him on the pads.

"But the public want to see what he's got in the ring. He should fight for a British title, destroy somebody and look good at the weight and then maybe take on Cleverly."