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Joe Calzaghe's super-fight with Bernard Hopkins will take place in Las Vegas on 19 April, it has been confirmed.

The non-title bout will see undisputed super-middleweight champion Calzaghe, 35, step up to light-heavyweight and fight in America for the first time.

Hopkins, 43, is widely regarded as the best in the world at the 175lb limit.

"This is a dream come true. People always ask me 'when are you going to America?' and now they've got their answer," said Calzaghe.

"I won't be taking Hopkins lightly, but I believe I have the tools to beat him."

The fighters, who will meet at the Thomas and Mack Centre, squared up in Vegas last month at the weigh-in for the Ricky Hatton versus Floyd Mayweather contest.

Pound-for-pound great Hopkins said he "would never let a white boy beat me" as he tried to taunt 10-year champion Calzaghe, who laughed off his boasts.

Calzaghe said the atmosphere generated by the many thousands of Hatton fans in Las Vegas persuaded him to seek a debut fight on American soil.

"I owe to the fans and myself to have at least one fight in America before I retire," Calzaghe told BBC Sport.

"That's the only thing missing from my record. I've been wondering for years if it would happen and finally it is going to happen.

"I've taken a big leap and I'm looking forward to going there. I wouldn't take this big leap if I didn't think 100% in my heart I would win the fight."

Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren last week confirmed the deal had been done to bring his man and Hopkins together.

"It's taken a lot of hard work but I'm delighted that we have a deal," said Warren at a media conference to announce the date and venue for the fight on Wednesday.

"I've always wanted Joe to fight Hopkins, because I believe he has the beating of him.

"We've seen in the past how many British fight fans have gone to America to see fights involving our guys, and I'm sure people will go in their thousands again."

New York had been suggested as a host city, with Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden mooted as venues.

But the extra glitz and capacity offered by the super-hotels and casinos of Las Vegas has won the day.

Newbridge-born Calzaghe has long been after a super-fight against former middleweight king Hopkins.

The Welshman has won all of his 44 fights, with 32 knockouts, and in his last outing he beat Mikkel Kessler to add the WBC and WBA titles to his WBO belt.

Hopkins, known as 'The Executioner', has a record of 48 wins, four defeats and one draw, and is one of only seven men (including Calzaghe) to have held world titles for 10 years.

The American's last two fights have been at light-heavyweight, where he secured unanimous points victories over Ronald Wright (July 2007) and Antonio Tarver (June 2006).

All of Calzaghe's fights have been at super-middleweight, but he believes the extra weight will benefit rather than hinder him.

"My biggest strength is my speed and I don't believe that will be blunted," said the 2007 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

"Even at 12st 7lb (light-heavyweight limit) I'll be struggling to get down to that weight - 12st (super-middleweight limit) only takes away my strength and punching power.

"So I believe the extra seven pounds will add to my strength and punching power. It's not a case of building up to light-heavyweight, it's just a case of not killing myself so much."

Former world middleweight champion Jermain Taylor is the latest name to show interest in facing Joe Calzaghe, the world super-middleweight champion.

Taylor lost his WBO and WBC belts to Kelly Pavlik in September, but has a non-title rematch at super-middleweight in Las Vegas in February.

His promoter Lou DiBella says the Welshman would be next on his wishlist.

"It's hard to look past this fight but, knowing Jermain, if he wins, Joe would be the fight he wants," said DiBella.

"If he succeeds in this rematch I would be very surprised if he didn't say 'Go pursue Calzaghe'," said the promoter.

"At this point in time I think anyone who knows boxing knows that the second best fighter in the world is Calzaghe and that's only because Floyd Mayweather is out there.

"I think Calzaghe has had a tremendous year and has stamped his status as one of the great super-middleweights of all time.


I'm not confident that the Hopkins fight will happen because I'm not confident they can make a business deal with Bernard

Taylor's promoter Lou DiBella

"So if I know Jermain and he beats Pavlik, that's where he sends me looking."

Calzaghe's preferred option for 2008 remains a showdown with Bernard Hopkins at light-heavyweight, with the Welshman's promoter claiming that a deal is very close to being made.

Ronald 'Winky' Wright is also keen to face Calzaghe, the newly crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and DiBella's comments will only boost Warren's hand at the negotiating table.

"I'm not confident that [the Hopkins] fight will happen because I'm not confident they can make a business deal with Bernard," said DiBella, who helped develop Hopkins as a fighter before an acrimonious parting of the ways.

"But I don't even think it's competitive. That's no disrespect to Hopkins who was one of the great fighters of all time, but I just don't see Calzaghe losing to a 43-year-old man who can't punch.

"I think Hopkins can frustrate him and maybe win a few rounds, but Calzaghe has too much and is too young."

Promoter Frank Warren says there is no reason why new BBC Sports Personality of the Year Joe Calzaghe should not fight American Bernard Hopkins in 2008.

Undisputed super-middleweight champion Calzaghe, 35, says he is ready to step up to light-heavy to face Hopkins.

"Both boxers want the fight, I want the fight, the fans want the fight and HBO want the fight, so there's no reason for it not to happen," said Warren.

"I'll be sitting down with Joe this week to discuss things."

Calzaghe has been in Las Vegas to support Ricky Hatton as the Manchester fighter lost in the tenth round to Floyd Mayweather on Saturday.

Welshman Calzaghe was involved in a slanging match with Hopkins at the MGM Grand last week after they went head-to-head at the weigh-in for Hatton v Mayweather.

"Coming face-to-face with Hopkins over the weekend made me want the fight even more," said Calzaghe.

"I'll go to America and take the fight, no problem at all. Bernard's a great fighter, but he's not as good as me.

"2007 has been a fantastic year for me, what with beating Kessler and then winning the BBC award on Sunday night.

"I've got my fingers crossed that 2008 will be even better, with a fight against Hopkins, and a win that will finally show everyone in America that I deserve all the praise I get."