Joe Calzaghe has ruled out fighting America's WBC and WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik this year.
The Welshman had been tipped to fight Pavlik, who eased to a third-round defeat of Calzaghe's stable-mate Gary Lockett in Atlantic City last week.
But the 36-year-old Calzaghe told the South Wales Argus: "A lot of people would love to see it.
"However, at this point, I think it's unlikely. I'm not sure if Pavlik really wants to face me at the moment."
Calzaghe, the world's best at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight, added: "He would have little to gain because I believe I would definitely beat him and, with respect to Gary Lockett, I would be a step-up too far for Pavlik."
However, after the victory over Lockett - his 30th career knockout in 34 victories - the 26-year-old Pavlik said: "Joe Calzaghe would be a great fight for me."
A showdown between power-puncher Pavlik and Calzaghe, boxing's longest-reigning world champion, would excite the sport's fans on both sides of the Atlantic.
"It would be a great fight for Joe," admitted Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren. "But it's up to Joe, not Kelly Pavlik, whether the fight will happen."
And the dismissal of Pavlik would suggest that a deal for Calzaghe to fight American legend Roy Jones is close to being sealed.
"Talks are ongoing about me facing Roy Jones, a genuine legend of boxing and a previous four-weight world champion," said Calzaghe. "That is a fight that I think can be made.
"Pavlik's got the world at his feet at middleweight or super-middleweight and will want to build his unbeaten record, rather than stepping up at least one weight category to face me.
"It's not beyond the realms of possibility that we will face each other, but I think Jones is the right fight for me at the moment."
From BBC.CO.UK/Sport
Makes it sound like he might fight Pavlik next year. IMO if he fights Jones then pavlik, he can leave the sport with his head held high having achieved all he can do.
The Welshman had been tipped to fight Pavlik, who eased to a third-round defeat of Calzaghe's stable-mate Gary Lockett in Atlantic City last week.
But the 36-year-old Calzaghe told the South Wales Argus: "A lot of people would love to see it.
"However, at this point, I think it's unlikely. I'm not sure if Pavlik really wants to face me at the moment."
Calzaghe, the world's best at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight, added: "He would have little to gain because I believe I would definitely beat him and, with respect to Gary Lockett, I would be a step-up too far for Pavlik."
However, after the victory over Lockett - his 30th career knockout in 34 victories - the 26-year-old Pavlik said: "Joe Calzaghe would be a great fight for me."
A showdown between power-puncher Pavlik and Calzaghe, boxing's longest-reigning world champion, would excite the sport's fans on both sides of the Atlantic.
"It would be a great fight for Joe," admitted Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren. "But it's up to Joe, not Kelly Pavlik, whether the fight will happen."
And the dismissal of Pavlik would suggest that a deal for Calzaghe to fight American legend Roy Jones is close to being sealed.
"Talks are ongoing about me facing Roy Jones, a genuine legend of boxing and a previous four-weight world champion," said Calzaghe. "That is a fight that I think can be made.
"Pavlik's got the world at his feet at middleweight or super-middleweight and will want to build his unbeaten record, rather than stepping up at least one weight category to face me.
"It's not beyond the realms of possibility that we will face each other, but I think Jones is the right fight for me at the moment."
From BBC.CO.UK/Sport
Makes it sound like he might fight Pavlik next year. IMO if he fights Jones then pavlik, he can leave the sport with his head held high having achieved all he can do.
