Calzaghe gives up WBC crown

12:49pm Saturday 5th July 2008

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ARGUS columnist Joe Calzaghe's reign as WBC super middleweight king is over after the undefeated double-weight world champion opted to vacate the title, writes Michael Pearlman.

Calzaghe, 36, who recently announced his split with long-time promoter Frank Warren, still holds the WBO title he's carried for nearly 11-years and the WBA strap.

However, news that he has vacated the title he won from Mikkel Kessler at the Millennium Stadium last year, is further evidence that Calzaghe will never box at super middleweight again.

It is now just a matter of time until Calzaghe vacates all three titles as he gears up for a light heavyweight tussle with Roy Jones Jr this winter.

Calzaghe would have had to face mandatory WBC contender Carl Froch if he had opted to keep his title, Froch now being lined up to face American Jermaine Taylor.

It is the second time in Calzaghe's career that he's given up a title, having also relinquished the IBF super middleweight strap that he won from American Jeff Lacy.

Veteran American legend Jones - a former four-weight world champion - claims he and Calzaghe will clash on September 20 in Las Vegas.

However, the Argus understands negotiations have not yet reached that stage, with issues still to be resolved.

No announcement has been made on either a venue or television deal, or if any promoters will help to organise the fight.

Calzaghe beat Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas in April to become Ring Magazine's undisputed light heavyweight champion.

Former Calzaghe promoter Warren has yet to issue any comment on the split, but is understood to favour an attempt at reconciliation with Calzaghe.

Warren still promotes the rest of Team Calzaghe' and could pair Newbridge's Gavin Rees with Amir Khan later in the year.