JOE Calzaghe is hoping for a July date for his rescheduled fight with IBF world light-heavyweight champion Glen Johnson.

The WBO super-middleweight champion's ambition to become the first Welsh double world champion was put on hold when a back injury forced the postponement of the Johnson fight, due to go ahead at the MEN Arena, Manchester, next Saturday.

Promoter Frank Warren was keen to stress Calzaghe's personal problems had not influenced the postponement.

The 32-year-old was arrested but released without charge after an alleged incident involving his estranged wife Mandy at their Cwmbran home last week.

But most people felt a fight of such importance so soon after that incident would have left Calzaghe at a big disadvantage, given his likely mental state.

Warren said: "I am very disappointed by the turn of events as Joe's fight against Johnson was the one that myself and the fans were really looking forward to.

"Due to the severity of the injury and despite undergoing intensive physiotherapy treatment, Joe is still in great pain.

"There was no way he could get in the ring with Johnson, who is a great champion and expected to give Joe the toughest test of his career."

Calzaghe's father/trainer Enzo told the Argus this morning: "The problem occurred in the final round of sparring last week with Nathan King and Michael Monaghan.

"Joe basically threw a punch and immediately cried out in pain.

"He visited a top physiotherapist in London three days running and eventually saw a top Harley Street specialist who basically said the problem was muscular and that he had to rest completely for two weeks before resuming training.

"Joe's very disappointed, but hopefully he should be fine to fight in July if Frank Warren can rearranged the bout then."

l American Oscar de la Hoya claimed his sixth world title at different weights when he defeated Germany's Felix Sturm on a controversial points decision to lift the WBO middleweight title in Las Vegas.

Bernard Hopkins, a long time target of Calzaghe, retained his middleweight crowns with an uninspiring, if unanimous win over Robert Allen and is now expected to face de la Hoya in September.