AMERICAN challenger Charles Brewer (pictured) fears a home-town decision could wreck his mission to dethrone Newbridge southpaw Joe Calzaghe of his world crown.

The 31-year-old from Philadelphia blazed his way into Cardiff yesterday still brooding over the manner in which he lost his IBF super-middleweight crown to Sven Ottke in Germany four years ago.

He was scuppered by a split decision as German and Spanish judges saw the 12-rounder very differently to most onlookers, including Calzaghe himself.

Two years later, Brewer lost a re-match in almost identical circumstances which has made him hungry to end Calzaghe's five-year reign as WBO super-middleweight king in style at the Cardiff International Arena on Saturday.

"All the boxers' insiders know what happened with Sven Ottke," said Brewer yesterday at the authentic surroundings of the Royal Oak pub's gym in the capital.

"For me to lose that fight (in 1998) on a split decision was ridiculous. That's why, when I go in the ring with Calzaghe on Saturday, it's champion versus champion, not contender versus champion."

But the 'Hatchet', who is sharply articulate, admitted: "If I dominate the fight over 12 rounds, I'm always concerned that he's going to be given a 12-round home-town decision so I'm not going to let it go to 12 rounds."

Brewer, after his bitter experiences, is frustrated Calzaghe's 10th defence of his title is taking place in Wales and not in the United States as, he claims, was originally planned. "I know that the odds are against me," added Brewer who has been defeated eight times of his 45 pro-fight career. "I wouldn't have cared where in the US this fight took place as long as it was on American soil.

"But with boxing politics the way it is, man, it's ended up being in Wales, Cardiff, and this guy can probably catch a cab to the arena.

"But I know what I'm doing. It could be a nasty fight and there's more pressure on him than me."

"I'm his toughest opponent. I know he knows that and I intend to bring everything into the ring with me to take this title back to the United States."