Calzaghe splits from promoter Warren after 12 years to become free agent

Calzaghe and Jones have reached an initial agreement to stage their showdown later this year - probably in Cardiff in October - when they intend to split the promotional duties between themselves.  

Joe Calzaghe (left) and Frank Warren: time to take charge of his own affairs

Calzaghe, who has fought under Warren's Sports Network banner for 12 years, has once again insisted his fight with the legendary American will be the last of his glittering career.  

Warren was unavailable for comment today on Calzaghe's announcement in the fighter's local South Wales Argus newspaper, in which Calzaghe also rubbished talk of a clash with middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik.  

Calzaghe said: 'I am now a free agent with no contract and intend to be self-managed from now on. 

Roy Jones Jnr: the one scalp Calzaghe would love to have before he retires

'I am the only person who can make negotiations for my next fight. Regarding that fight, I am not in negotiations with Kelly Pavlik, despite reports to the contrary.  

'My intention is to fight Roy Jones Jnr, a four-weight world champion fighter.  

'That would be a special event for me against a legend of the sport. There are issues to be resolved with my former promoter Frank Warren and I hope they can be done so amicably.'  

Calzaghe's contract with Warren expired after his win over Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas in April but he had been widely presumed to be ready to agree a deal to end his fighting days with Warren's company.  

The Welshman's first fight for Warren was a second round stoppage of Carlos Christie at the Whitchurch Leisure Centre in Bristol in January 1997.  

Under Warren's guidance, Calzaghe claimed the WBO super-middleweight title which he held for over a decade before moving up to replace Hopkins as the pre-eminent fighter at light-heavyweight.  

Warren had indicated after that win that Calzaghe could join him in a promotional role once his ring career ended.  

But now Calzaghe intends to follow the risky path of self-promotion set by a succession of fellow British fighters, with varying degrees of success.

But now Calzaghe appears to have followed the examples set by fellow British fighters Ricky Hatton and David Haye, and take control of his promotional affairs.