FRUSTRATED trainer Enzo Calzaghe has spoken out about the lack of top drawer opponents lining up to take a crack at son Joe's WBO super-middleweight crown. Calzaghe will defend his belt for the 11th time against hard-hitting New Yorker David Telesco at Cardiff Castle on August 17.

The Newbridge southpaw says Telesco, (pictured) who will move down from light-heavy and is ranked in the top five by the WBO, will be his toughest opponent since he snatched his belt in 1997.

Nevertheless his father and trainer Enzo questioned current American NABA and NABF title holder Antwun Echols' desire yesterday after he seemingly ducked out on Calzaghe for the second time.

Almost a fortnight of negotiations with promoter Frank Warren's US counterpart Art Pelluo broke down on Tuesday night when Echols finally decided to take on American Richard Grant in Phoenix on August 3 instead.

Calzaghe is no stranger to Echols' apparent refusal to face him with the Louisiana man doing a U-turn last November in Copenhagen where the ill-matched Will McIntyre was hastily installed.

Enzo acknowledges that his champ will not be taking veteran 34-year-old Telesco lightly after he took middleweight king Roy Jones Jnr to 12 rounds at the Radio City Music Hall before losing on points two years ago.

Nevertheless, he has called on the middleweight ring kings to stand up and be counted by putting themselves forward to face Calzaghe in the mouth-watering unification clashes that the world wants to see.

"It's very disappointing to say the least that Joe has now been champion for five years and he hasn't had a unification fight," said Enzo, who would ideally like to see his son matched with the likes of either WBA, WBC and IBF light-heavyweight champ Jones, WBC, WBA and IBF middleweight ruler Bernard Hopkins or IBF rival Sven Ottke.

"Joe stands head and shoulders above the rest but everyone seems to be running scared. They pick and choose maybe three or four fights a year and say to themselves: 'Why should I fight Joe Calzaghe and risk everything?'"

Enzo, though, concedes that the world of boxing match-ups is ruled by promoters and governed by television rights and the all-important lucrative fight-night contracts. "Joe would love to take on someone like Hopkins but to get a prestigious fight like that on, the payroll has to be right for both boxers," he said.

Tickets for the Castle bill, priced at £25, £50 and £75, are available on the Sports Network box office on 01992 505 550.