Calzaghe handed new opponent
Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton have been handed new opponents for their world title defences at Newcastle’s Telewest Arena on December 14.
Welshman Calzaghe will put his WBO super-middleweight crown on the line against Tocker Pudwill after fellow American Thomas Tate pulled out with an ear injury.
Manchester’s WBU light-welterweight champion Hatton is now also due to tackle an American challenger in Joe Hutchinson after Antonio Mesquita of Brazil withdrew due to contractual problems.
The 31-year-old Pudwill has won 37 of his 41 fights and will be having his second world title fight after losing on points to Germany's IBF kingpin Sven Ottke in June 2000.
Calzaghe told www.bbc.co.uk: “I have to stay focused and prepare for Pudwill. He has challenged Sven Ottke for the IBF title and the German couldn’t stop him.
“I have every incentive to do a job on him and remain on course for a showdown with Bernard Hopkins next year.”
Hutchinson, 32, has recorded 24 wins, three defeats and two draws, with two of those losses coming on points against top-notch opponents in Hector Camacho and Arturo Gatti.
“At the end of the day you have to remain professional and realise that things like this happen,” added Hatton.
“Hutchinson looks a dangerous challenger and it will be a feather in my cap if I can do it early.”
