WORLD champion Joe Calzaghe has called on Bernard Hopkins to face up to an eagerly-waited showdown with him.

The 30-year-old Newbridge hero wants to take on the undisputed middlweight king after he has hopefully disposed of former champion Thomas Tate in Newcastle on December 14.

Calzaghe said last night: "A fight with him has been what I've been after. I know I'm the best, whereas he thinks he's the best. I know I can knock him out."

The 30-year-old, who saw the last potential showdown between the two collapse because of Hopkins' huge pay demands, added: "It doesn't matter where or when we meet. But I do get the feeling he has been avoiding me and the sooner we get in the ring the better."

Calzaghe's manager Frank Warren confirmed: "I think it has been a combination of Hopkins running scared and over-pricing himself. If I paid him the money he was asking, I would have had to charge every punter £1,000 for a seat and they weren't ringside. That's ridiculous.

"I have been talking with Hopkins' promoter Don King over the weekend and things are moving along.

"A Hopkins-Calzaghe fight will be one that everyone would love to see. It would be a great contest."

The same programme at the Newcastle Telewest Arena will see Ricky Hatton put his unbeaten record and WBU light-welterweight championship title on the line when he faces Antonio Mesquita of Brazil.

l Calzaghe's Newbridge stablemates Bradley Pryce and Gavin Rees are both back in action.

Super-featherweight Rees will fight on Calzaghe's undercard in an eight-rounder while Pryce has been installed on the Johnny Nelson world title fight bill at the Derby Storm Arena on November 23.

He will join Cwmbran middleweight Gary Lockett who fights Chris Saunders.

* Tickets are available from Sports Network Box Office on 01992 550 888.