Calzaghe targets two-weight glory

Joe Calzaghe insists he is ready to step up a weight after unifying the super middleweight division with his victory over Mikkel Kessler in Cardiff.

The Welshman, 35, added the Dane's WBA and WBC belts to his WBO crown.

"I'm moving on. I've done everything at this weight, I've won all four belts," he said after his 21st title defence.

"I'm nearly 36 and it is time to put on the extra seven pounds and unleash hell in the light heavyweight divison and be a two-weight champion before I quit."

Interview: Joe Calzaghe

Calzaghe stretched his unbeaten record to an incredible 44 fights against Kessler, who lost his treasured unblemished record at the Millennium Stadium.

The Newbridge southpaw is already trying to entice modern American ring legends Roy Jones Jr, and long-time middleweight ruler Bernard Hopkins into the ring with him at light heavyweight, while fellow Briton Clinton Woods holds the IBF version of the title.

"I've whupped the arses of the two guys who were supposedly going to beat me in this division, now I must move up," said Calzaghe, who also wrecked the hopes of American star Jeff Lacy in March 2006.

Reflecting on his victory over Kessler, he added: "I got hurt but I came back twice as strong, that's who I am.

"In the 12th round I was way ahead, I could have run, I could have held on but it's not in my DNA, I fight all the way and I just stood toe-to-toe.

"People pay good money for tickets and I always give a show, and I believe they were entertained."

Source: BBC Sport