GWENT'S unbeaten world boxing champ Joe Calzaghe admits the tenth defence of his WBO super-middleweight belt against former IBF champion Charles Brewer is "potentially the most difficult" fight he has faced.

But the 29-year-old, who is Britain's longest-serving world title holder, confidently predicted: "I'll take him out in five rounds."

Cwmbran-based Calzaghe, originally from Newbridge, is unbeaten in 31 professional fights, 27 of them knock-outs, and will fight NABF super-middleweight champion 'Hatchet' Brewer - under the banner 'Year Of The Dragon' - at the 2,800-capacity Welsh National Ice Rink in Cardiff on February 9. The bill will feature five other Gwent boxers.

London-born Calzaghe, who has been WBO super-middleweight champion since beating Chris Eubank on points in Sheffield four years afo, had thought the ice rink was too small for the fight but the city's 5,000-capacity International Arena, probably the biggest indoor venue in South Wales, was already booked.

Calzaghe thinks Cardiff's Millennium Stadium could be a "possibility" if a big name fighter like Roy Jones, who will catch the public's imagination, is lined up but says "realistically at the moment it is too big".

And if other budding Welsh boxers fulfil some of their potential soon they could feature on the same bill and fill the stadium will 30,000-odd passionate fans.

Philadelphia-based Brewer has won 29 of his 37 fights, 26 knock-outs, and lost his IBF crown to Sven Ottke in Germany in October 1998 - the month that Calzaghe won the vacant WBO title.

This bout was supposed to be fought in the United States but Showtime, the American cable channel, is focusing all its resources on next year's Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Calzaghe had also told the Argus he was worried about flying to America in the wake of the September 11 attacks but yesterday said he will definitely make his US debut sometime next year purely for "financial reasons".

He said: "I am a bit disappointed that it's not in America but I always love fighting at home.

"But I will make my debut next year. America is a bigger nut to crack and I'm only going there for a bigger pay-day, but it will be a big test for me.

"The ice rink is a small place but it will be packed with fans and there will be a fantastic atmosphere.

"It will be a great fight and it's potentially the toughest test for me. Charles Brewer is one of the best fighters in the World, he's a big puncher, has fast hands and is very dangerous and I don't think I could have picked a more difficult opponent.

"I heard he's got a big mouth so I hope he comes over here shouting it off and that will get me motivated. When the Americans come over I always give them a whipping. "It's going to be one hell of a fight and I predict it will probably one of the most exiting defences, if not the most exciting, of my title because he is a come-forward fighter and will look to try and take me out."

Also on the bill are five other Gwent boxers. Cwmcarn-based Gary Lockett will compete for the vacant Commonwealth light-middleweight title against an opponent to be confirmed.

Cwmcarn's Bradley Pryce will contest the WBO Intercontinental lightweight championship with an opponent to be confirmed and Newbridge fighter Gavin Rees will contest the WBO Intercontinental featherweight title against an opponent still to be confirmed.

Newbridge's Nathan King will fight Enfield's Peter Haymer in a light-heavyweight contest and Gareth Jordan of Monmouth will start the show competing against a fighter yet to be confirmed in a lightweight contest.

"These are champions of tomorrow," said Calzaghe. "They are 60 or 70 per cent of the fighters they will become."

Calzaghe was yesterday presented with the prestigious Olympic Sports Award (boxing section). He has already been named British Boxer Of The Year.