GWENT middleweight Gary Lockett has blasted the critics of world super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, a man he hopes to follow to a world title later this year.

Cwmbran-born Lockett has been promised a fight against Ryan Rhodes for the vacant WBU world middleweight title in late November provided Rhodes wins his next fight on October 25.

Lockett is so confident he will beat Sheffield-based Rhodes inside the distance, he said: "They can stage the fight right in the heart of Sheffield. It won't change the result."

But meanwhile he has strongly defended Calzaghe, who has been slammed by IBF champion Jeff Lacy's camp for taking the recent fight against Evans Ashira and breaking his left hand, forcing the cancellation of their unification fight on November 5.

Lacy has now opted for a defence on that date against fellow American Scott Pemberton, mooted more than once as a possible Calzaghe opponent.

Calzaghe has also suffered criticism from other quarters and been accused of avoiding the major fights he says he wants.

"Joe Calzaghe has taken a lot of stick, especially on the internet sites, and after 17 successful defences of his world title I don't understand it. To the likes of me he's something of a role model," said Lockett.

"It's not his fault that he hasn't landed a massive fight and people must be stupid if they think he doesn't want the big fights.

"There can't be anybody more disappointed than Joe that he has bust his hand.

"Joe Calzaghe has never had half the recognition he deserves and I for one believe he will smash Lacy and beat him inside the distance.

"I've had my injuries and problems over the years and had to pull out of fights. All boxers have them. And you can't go into a fight anything less than 100 per cent.

"Joe is and has been a great champion and people should recognise this and get off his back."

Lockett, whose two-round demolition of Allan Gray on the Calzaghe/Ashira bill is to be shown on ITV 2 on Friday night, was delighted with his performance after a 12-months absence.

"We knew the guy could be potentially tricky if I fell into the old habit of loading up and trying to take him out with one shot," said Lockett.

"With a little luck my world title chance will now come as Rhodes should easily defeat opponent Danny Thornton on October 25."

Lockett is also eyeing the British title held by Plymouth's Scott Dann, who defended it a unanimous points win over Wayne Elcock last Friday.

"I thought Dann looked very amateurish. I don't think I'd have any problem with him at all," said Lockett, winner of 24 of his 25 fights. I'd like that title more than the WBU crown but looking to the future, the only way I could see it happening is if he was ordered to make a mandatory defence against me."