Hopkins out to get hooks into champ

LAS VEGAS -- Bernard Hopkins came out of retirement to put an end to Winky Wright's long unbeaten streak Saturday . Now he has his sights set on a fighter who has never lost.

Buoyed by his unanimous decision over Wright, Hopkins seems ready at the age of 42 for a second career in a sport he once dominated. And he's got the perfect opponent in mind for his next fight.

"I want Joe Calzaghe next," Hopkins said of the Welsh 168-pound champion. "Tell him to come over here, and I'm going to beat him, too."

Calzaghe (43-0) isn't likely to be packing his bags soon. He has never fought outside of Europe and Hopkins would likely have to make a trip overseas to get the fight if he really wants it.

Besides, Calzaghe's schedule is full. He fights a super middleweight unification bout Nov. 3 against Denmark's Mikkel Kessler, who also is undefeated.

Hopkins was triumphant after picking at a gash that opened over Wright's left eye with a head-butt in the third round, despite fighting only in spurts at times. Wright scrambled and counterpunched, but the extra weight he was carrying seemed to make him weary.

Wright grew frustrated and tired in the late rounds, and Hopkins stuck with a steady strategy in a light heavyweight fight featuring more action than most expected from two guarded counterpunchers. Wright was active and resilient, but Hopkins usually was a half-step ahead.