Show me the money, Taylor tells Calzaghe

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Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren last week upped his bid from 3million to $4million(£2million) to entice the undisputed middleweight champion to step up a division and fight for the Welshman's WBO super-middleweight crown.

Scroll down to read more:

No go, Joe: Calzaghe set himself up for a shot at Taylor after easily defeating Peter Manfredo (left) - but the purse is not yet big enough

"If Joe and Frank want me that much, make me an offer for 10m and I will show up and bring him a gift to his front door," Taylor told BBC Sport.

Calzaghe is looking for an opponent for the 21st defence of his world title, with 28-year-old American Taylor top of his list.

The 35-year-old is even prepared to forgo his preferred July television date for a September showdown against Taylor, who defends his WBC and WBO titles against Cory Spinks on May 19.

The Little Rock-born fighter, who holds a record of 26-0-1 (17 KOs), would have no problem fighting in the UK if the money was right.

"No atmosphere is intimidating because, once you start fighting, your focus is on the man in front of you," Taylor added.

Calzaghe is boxing's longest-reigning current champion, having held his WBO crown for almost 10 years.

He made the 20th defence of his title against Peter Manfredo Jr on April 7 in front of 35,000 fans at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

He suffered a broken hand in during the third-round victory but had still hoped to fight again on July 21.

However, number one choice Taylor, Bernard Hopkins and WBC and WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler are all unavailable on that date.

Roy Jones Jr said last week he would fight Calzaghe anytime, anywhere but previous negotiations between the former four-weight title holder and Warren have collapsed over money.

All this could leave WBO mandatory challenger Denis Inkin, 29, as a potential opponent.

The German-based Russian holds a record of 30-0 (23 KOs), including wins over Calzaghe victims Branko Sobot and Mario Veit, but he is an unknown in the UK and USA.

"Joe only wants to fight the best man out there and that is Jermain," said Warren last week, after offering Taylor an American referee for a potential bout.

"I know Jermain wants to fight only the biggest fights and make the most money.

"To do that, we need to hold the fight over here where we can build on the record attendance Joe established against Manfredo."