NEWBRIDGE'S WBO super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe has admitted the September 11 tragedy has grounded his early New Year US debut hopes with Cardiff picked for the 10th title defence.

Promoter Frank Warren is expected to announce later today that the Welsh capital will be the venue for Calzaghe to be tested against American Charles Brewer.

The showdown will go ahead, possibly at the Cardiff International Arena, on February 9, but any hopes the fight would mark the beginning of Calzaghe's American odyssey were rejected by the champ himself.

Calzaghe, who is still desperate to raise his profile in America to spark interest in a possible showdown with Roy Jones Jnr among others, revealed last night: "I requested not to fly after September 11.

"I would prefer things to settle down and maybe fight later on in the year." Cable company Showtime, though, is likely to broadcast the fight live to American homes.

Calzaghe last fought on home soil when he floored respected German challenger Mario Viet at the CIA back in April.

Some 5,000 fans turned out then and he hopes that with Newbridge stablemates Bradley Pryce, Gavin Rees - trained by Calzaghe's father Enzo - plus Cwmbran's Gary Lockett set to be named on the undercard today, it will be another night of Welsh pride.

"It was a fantastic atmosphere then and I'm sure it will be special again," added Calzaghe. "I hope the fight will be held at the CIA or an even bigger venue because the more people we get in, the better atmosphere it will create. I don't think something like the Cardiff Ice Rink will be big enough."

There was still some uncertainty, though, last night which Cardiff venue could host the fight. The CIA is booked, the winter date ruling out Cardiff Castle while the Ice Rink can only host 2,800 fans.

Wherever the fight is held, though, Calzaghe will not be taking his American challenger lightly with him revealing he'll begin his eight weeks of gruelling training later this week. Former IBF super-middleweight champion Brewer is ranked fourth by his federation, knocking out 26 opponents in 37 career victories.

And Welshman Calzaghe warned: "He is a very dangerous fighter - a real puncher which should make it a very exciting fight to watch."

It's expected Warren's company Sports Network, meanwhile, will delay naming opponents for Pryce, Rees and Lockett today.

Among the Welsh trio, Lockett is the most recent to put his glowing reputation on the line with a two-round KO of Leytonstone's Chris Nembhard last month.

Pryce will make this second defence of his WBO Intercontinental Lightweight title after out-pointing South African Lucky Samba in October.

On the same Cardiff Ice Rink bill then, Rees beat Russian Nikolai Eremeev on points to retain his WBO intercontinental belt.