GWENT'S WBO super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren says he will re-open negotiations next week for a new opponent for the fighter once a new date for his next defence is finalised

That date is likely to be March after Calzaghe yesterday withdrew from the 16th defence of his title at the MEN Arena, Manchester, on February 11.

The Newbridge ace cited lack of preparation time for the fight against an unnamed opponent as his reason for the delay.

But Warren warned Calzaghe that his of habit of pulling out of contests was making it difficult to attract credible opponents.

"Hopefully it will be (Scott) Pemberton or (Antwun) Echols. I doubt it will be (Mario) Veit as he has another fight lined up in Germany," said Warren.

"Negotiations have been difficult because other guys know Joe has pulled out of a few fights and they are asking for money up front.

"This withdrawal is very disappointing as we had a good card lined up and the fans were looking forward to seeing Joe in Manchester.

"Time keeps slipping but we need to get the fights for Joe. We have to find guys who will come to fight as that brings the best out of him."

Rumours were circulating last week that Calzaghe's next defence would be put back to March or April.

But in his Argus boxing column Calzaghe, who last week had a sore throat and was a little under the weather, said he still expected his next fight to be in February.

Calzaghe was due to headline an historic first pro-am bill in Britain, including leading English amateurs such as Olympic Games silver medallist Amir Khan.

Now the bill will go ahead headlined by super-featherweight Michael Gomez with fellow Mancunian Stephen Foster Junior set to contest the WBU featherweight world title on the same card.

Either crowd-pleasing American puncher Pemberton or rough-house fighter Echols would be a good test for Calzaghe, but the delay makes his wish to have at least three major fights this year that little bit harder to achieve.