MILLENNIUM Stadium manager Paul Sergeant said he would welcome a Joe Calzaghe superfight there in July "with open arms," writes Paul Tully.

Promoter Frank Warren exclusively revealed in the Argus yesterday (see inset) that Cardiff in the summer was his preferred option for Calzaghe to cash in on his universally praised victory over Jeff Lacy, July 8 a possible date.

Today Sergeant revealed that date was available and only if the fight were to be on the weekend of July 1-2 would the Stadium definitely be ruled out, though there might be problems with the final two weekends of the month.

"It's about time the Stadium staged high class world championship boxing and there's no better way to introduce it than with a Joe Calzaghe fight," he said.

"We were close to securing the Lacy fight but when the date moved to March we were scuppered. The back end of July might be difficult because of events pencilled in (though not confirmed). July 1-2 would be out because we are contracted for the Watchtower convention.

"The second and third weekends are free but there is a question of whether they would clash with the World Cup final or not (July 9). It all depends on TV I imagine.

"But the Stadium is tailor-made for boxing. Everyone would have a fantastic view, you would be on top of the action and the atmosphere would be as powerful as anywhere.

"I'm a boxing fan and Joe's performance against Lacy was awesome. I'm due to go to the World Cup final but if Calzaghe were to fight here on July 9 I would happily miss it."