THE camp of Joe Calzaghe (pictured) has been hit by a sucker punch - just 48-hours after the boxer defended his WBO super-middleweight crown.

The Newbridge southpaw's mandatory No.1 challenger, Freeman Barr, has threatened to sue boxing chiefs if he's again thwarted of a crack at the title.

Calzaghe out-pointed American Charles Brewer, ranked No.6 by the World Boxing Organisation, over 12 rip-roaring rounds at the Cardiff International Arena last Saturday night.

Such is former IBF champion Brewer's reputation, the ferocious victory should pave the way for a superfight with the likes of undisputed middleweight king Bernard Hopkins.

Calzaghe's manager Frank Warren has already confirmed he's targeting a unification battle with Hopkins at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff this August.

Such a mouth-watering prospect could attract some 40,000 fans to the stadium whereas a low-key clash with Bahamian Barr would attract a fraction of that number.

But in an exclusive interview with The Argus, Barr has revealed how his pleas to fight Calzaghe have been snubbed for a year-and-a-half.

Barr, who made hard work of out-pointing Watford journeyman Ojay Abrahams on Saturday's undercard, also claims:

* He was the original challenger for Calzaghe's 10th title defence, but was dropped to a 'get-to-know-you' supporting bout when Brewer became available.

* He had already been dropped at the 11th-hour when Calzaghe was installed on the Mike Tyson bill to fight little-known American Will McIntyre in Copenhagen six months ago.

* He was forced to fight over six rounds at the Cardiff International Arena - alien territory for a fighter who built his career over 12.

Barr, who hails from the Bahamas but lives in Florida, said: "Joe is talking about taking on a superfight but he should be looking after his mandatory defence.

"I feel I have been left out in the cold. Brewer is ranked at No.6, so why didn't I fight him?"

Former IBO, NABO middle and super-middleweight champion Barr believes he has the all-round attributes to beat undefeated Calzaghe, with who he's rapidly losing patience. "I respect him as the champion but I will lose that respect if he continues to overlook me," he said and further claimed: "It's all about politics in boxing and about who you know - not how good you are."

Barr's frustrated manager Steven Canton added: "We've threatened legal action with the WBO and we're prepared to do it again.

"The answer we got first time around was to showcase Freeman on Saturday's Showtime bill in a 12-round fight. He has been No.1 mandatory for a year but hasn't been given a chance. When he does get the chance, he will take Calzaghe's title."

Calzaghe manager Warren believes Calzaghe will again be handed "special dispensation" to duck Barr.

But, in response to Barr's claims, he told the Argus: "It's all very well saying what they want but we have to make fights that the public want to watch.

"That's why we brought him over to see what he's made of. Joe will make his mandatory defence but when that's going to happen I don't know."

Calzaghe's father and trainer Enzo commented: "As far as we're concerned, we are looking for a major fight and we leave that for the promoters to sort out."

Calzaghe's hand, injured in the eighth against Brewer, needs rest and is not broken.