Boxing: Calzaghe and Hatton to give subs sinking feeling

Getting knocked out before you even step into the ring is an occupational hazard for those who tread boxing's boards strictly as "opponents".

It has been ever thus since the days when the late Jack Solomons swapped fish mongering for fight promoting. "The substitute is better than the original," boxing's Barnum liked to declare. Whether the adage still rings true will be soon be evidenced.

Two of Britain's most prolific world champions, the super-middleweight Joe Calzaghe and the light-welterweight Ricky Hatton, face fresh foes in their respective title defences at Newcastle's Telewest Arena on Saturday. So does David Haye, Auntie's new toy boy, who makes his debut at London's York Hall in a televised BBC show this afternoon.

After gearing themselves up to fight one style of opponent, both Calzaghe and Hatton. Sky's principal boys, have had to rethink their game plans.

Welshman Calzaghe was due to defend his World Boxing Organisation belt against the useful Thomas Tate, now ruled out with a busted eardrum. So in comes another seasoned American, Tocker Pudwill, who sounds as if he has stepped from the pages of Harry Potter rather than the Ring record book.

And with original choice Antonio Mesquita, of Brazil, embroiled in a contractual muddle, Hatton, the newly-elected Mancunian Sportsman of the Year, pits his relentless attacks against Joe Hutchinson, of Indianapolis.

According to promoter Frank Warren, both subs come to fight but Christmas may have arrived a tad early for Calzaghe and Hatton. For while their new opponents have reasonable records, neither looks significantly intimidating.

Pudwill has a record of 39 fights, with four losses and 13 KOs. He has won his last five bouts. Hatton, the World Boxing Union champion, instead of meeting a 5ft 10in orthodox Brazilian fighter, now finds himself against a short, stocky southpaw (24 wins in 30 fights) who is also on a winning streak.

Not unreasonably both Britons are looking towards the New Year and career-defining fights. Warren says he is still trying to capture the elusive Bernard Hopkins for Calzaghe "although I suppose you are sick and tired of hearing it". But every time the pen is poised Hopkins seeks to double his money. "We'll just have to embarrass him into it," says Warren.

However signatures are already on the contract for what should be Britain's tastiest domestic morsel since Benn and Eubank set about each other with Hatton and his mouthy rival Junior Witter due to meet next summer. There's mutual respect, but no love lost. "Actually, I think he's a bit of a tosser," says Hatton. "He hasn't got a good word to say about anyone but himself."

Like Hatton, cruiserweight Haye is one of boxing's articulate breed. But is he as good as his words? The Russian he was to fight today has a virus so the world amateur silver medallist, who says he is resolved not to follow the bill-topping, easy-touch Audley Harrison route, has boldly elected to face the vastly experienced Tony Booth, of Hull, who, unlike most of Harrison's victims, actually won his last fight. As "opponents" go, Booth certainly looks better than the original.