Boxing: Joe Calzaghe has followed in the footsteps of fellow British boxers Ricky Hatton and David Haye, in splitting from his promoter and embarking on self-promotion ahead of what he hopes is the last fight of his career.
Promoter Frank Warren has been in Calzaghe's corner for 12 years of a glittering career but the fighter today declared himself a "free agent" as he looks to negotiate a final pay day with a fight against American great Roy Jones Junior.
The 36-year-old has dismissed suggestions that he is to fight undefeated middleweight world champion Kelly Pavlik (26) and instead insists he is seeking a bout with Jones, who, though a modern great of the sport, is approaching 40 and has been beaten three times in the last four years.
"I am now a free agent with no contract and intend to be self-managed from now on," Calzaghe told the South Wales Argus.
"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 Sports Network group.
Under Warren's guidance, Calzaghe began with a second round stoppage of Carlos Christie in January 1997 and progressed to claim 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.