Promoter Frank Warren is confident of closing a deal for new BBC Sports Personality of the Year Joe Calzaghe to fight American Bernard Hopkins in 2008.
Undisputed super-middleweight champion Calzaghe, 35, says he is ready to step up to light-heavy to face Hopkins.
Warren told BBC 5 Live: "We are very close to closing the deal and I hope within a week we will have it done.
"I'll be sitting down with Joe this week to discuss things. Both boxers want the fight."
Calzaghe had been in Las Vegas to support Ricky Hatton as the Manchester fighter lost in the tenth round to Floyd Mayweather on Saturday.
Warren had earlier issued a statement that read: "I want the fight, the fans want the fight and HBO want the fight, so there's no reason for it not to happen."
Welshman Calzaghe was involved in a slanging match with Hopkins at the MGM Grand last week after they went head-to-head at the weigh-in for Hatton v Mayweather.
"Coming face-to-face with Hopkins over the weekend made me want the fight even more," said Calzaghe.
"I'll go to America and take the fight, no problem at all. Bernard's a great fighter, but he's not as good as me.
"2007 has been a fantastic year for me, what with beating Kessler and then winning the BBC award on Sunday night.
"I've got my fingers crossed that 2008 will be even better, with a fight against Hopkins, and a win that will finally show everyone in America that I deserve all the praise I get."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7136912.stm
Undisputed super-middleweight champion Calzaghe, 35, says he is ready to step up to light-heavy to face Hopkins.
Warren told BBC 5 Live: "We are very close to closing the deal and I hope within a week we will have it done.
"I'll be sitting down with Joe this week to discuss things. Both boxers want the fight."
Calzaghe had been in Las Vegas to support Ricky Hatton as the Manchester fighter lost in the tenth round to Floyd Mayweather on Saturday.
Warren had earlier issued a statement that read: "I want the fight, the fans want the fight and HBO want the fight, so there's no reason for it not to happen."
Welshman Calzaghe was involved in a slanging match with Hopkins at the MGM Grand last week after they went head-to-head at the weigh-in for Hatton v Mayweather.
"Coming face-to-face with Hopkins over the weekend made me want the fight even more," said Calzaghe.
"I'll go to America and take the fight, no problem at all. Bernard's a great fighter, but he's not as good as me.
"2007 has been a fantastic year for me, what with beating Kessler and then winning the BBC award on Sunday night.
"I've got my fingers crossed that 2008 will be even better, with a fight against Hopkins, and a win that will finally show everyone in America that I deserve all the praise I get."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7136912.stm