NEWBRIDGE hero Joe Calzaghe will chalk up a personal victory after American Thomas Tate was unveiled as the 12th challenger to his WBO super-middleweight crown today.

As predicted in later editions of yesterday's Argus, promoter Frank Warren named Houston-based Tate as the man to give Calzaghe his final test before beginning his American odyssey next year.

And Calzaghe will share top billing with Manchester's WBU welterweight champion Ricky Hatton at Newcastle's TeleWest Arena on December 14.

Today's announcement at the Park Lane Hotel in London signalled Calzaghe's success in persuading TV company Showtime, which broadcast all of his fights in America, that he shouldn't fight again until 2003.

But it means there is no New York debut for Calzaghe - yet.

The unavailability of the Cardiff International Arena also scuppered any hopes that the fight could go ahead on Welsh soil.

But 30-year-old Calzaghe's father and trainer Enzo is just delighted that the champion will get his wish to fight before the festivities begin.

"Joe was very keen to get in the ring three times this year and we're glad that there is not the extra pressure on him to fight just after Christmas," Enzo told the Argus last night. "It's a time that we all like to spend with family and, at least, this time Joe doesn't need to worry about preparing for a fight."

Enzo promises that Calzaghe's hand has fully recovered since smashing it during his unspectacular 12-round points victory over Miguel Jimenez at Cardiff Castle on August 17.

It was a night that left Calzaghe bitterly disappointed after the plucky Puerto Rican almost curled himself into a ball to thwart him from putting on a sparkling show in front of the world's TV cameras.

"We want this fight and by saying that it means that Joe is ready," assured Enzo. "He's going into overdrive in training. There are only about five or six boxing superstars in the world and Joe is one of them. When he's in training, he's not concerned who his opponent will be."

Calzaghe's latest title defence announcement, though, will not come without criticism from some quarters of the the boxing community.

Tate, who originally hails from Detroit, was close to quitting the sport in June after losing to Germany's IBF super-middleweight champion Sven Ottke for the second time in two years.

But as Tate turned his attentions to becoming a personal trainer in Houston's gyms, his manager Joe Day pushed for another outing against either Calzaghe or WBA king Byron Mitchell. He's now got his wish.

* Affilated amateur boxers are being invited to train at Joe Calzaghe's new gym at Cwmcarn Rugby Club. Training sessions are on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays between 5pm-8pm.

For more information call Enzo Calzaghe on 07968 215171 or Nick Higgins on 01495 240014.