BOXING: CALZAGHE CHASING JONES CLASH.

Byline: Frank WIECHULA

FRANK WARREN will jet to New York within the next fortnight in a bold bid to force a super-fight for Joe Calzaghe.

Britain's top promoter is so fed up with American aces Roy Jones Jnr - the undisputed world light-heavyweight champion - and middleweight king Bernard Hopkins that he's going directly into their backyard to conduct negotiations.

Warren has already been in contact with Jones' advisers this week, just days after the champ's six-round demolition of Britain's Clinton Woods reinforced his mantle as the world's very best.

Warren wants to test the Yank's true resolve by persuading them to tackle his unbeaten WBO super-middleweight world title-holder. He is prepared to go anywhere in the world just as long as the price is right.

The London promoter said: "Everyone says that, pound-for- pound, Jones is the best fighter in the world but I don't agree with that.

"That's because I've not seen him in a bout with another fighter that I think is near to being pound-for-pound the best in the world.

"I look at the best fighters, people like Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran.

"Duran was a guy who'd fight anybody. Roy Jones makes a living out of not fighting people. Even in the early days I don't ever recall him saying he wanted to box Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn or Steve Collins - and yet they all were around."

Warren added: "Jones says he wants to fight Calzaghe. Then John Ruiz at heavyweight? That's a joke. And Hopkins ? Firstly he needs to make up his mind what weight he's going to fight at.

"But, just as with Joe, Jones can't agree terms with Hopkins. He's basically pricing himself out of the market. Jones has got to lower his horizons and, if he wants to be the best in the world, then prove it. He's made a lot of money and I'm not saying he should get short-changed, but let's make it economically viable.

"Joe is frustrated and so am I. Joe's fought world champions but he wants and needs a career-defining fight.

"He needs the challenge and he's capable of delivering the goods.

"I'll be going to New York to talk to Jones and his people, and separately with Hopkins and Don King. I'll ask them 'What is stopping this from happening?'"

Warren was hoping he could put on a mega-fight at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in November, but is now looking at January or February, in Wales or wherever.

CAPTION(S):

AIM: Joe Calzaghe

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Title Annotation:	Sport
Publication:	The People (London, England)
Date:	Sep 15, 2002
Words:	420
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