Ricky Hatton And Oasis To Fight Joe Calzaghe And Stereophonics For Xmas No1

Joe Calzaghe is taking on Ricky Hatton for a last fight ... to be Christmas No 1.

The gloves will come off when the two boxing champs go head-to-head in the pop charts.

Calzaghe 37 - who last night took on Roy Jones Jnr in a light heavy weight showdown in New York before retiring from the ring - is pulling no punches in his quest for a record knock-out.

Welsh hit rockers the Stereophonics will help him record the track.

But it could be a close fight. Mancunian Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton, 30, has called on Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher to help him claim the top spot with Hi Ho Ricky Hatton, a take on the 1967 hit Hi Ho Silver Lining.

And welterweight Hatton, who has won a string of world titles, is hoping to get Manchester City football team involved.

Calzaghe is getting his model girlfriend Jo-Emma, 27, to be a backing dancer.

And his boxing coach and songwriting dad Enzo, 60, is coming up with the words.

A source said: "It's going to be a real sing-along track to get everyone in the party mood.

"Jo-Emma is the secret weapon - she's the real glamour behind the single, which the Gallagher brothers can't match."

Enzo has said: "I was brought up in music. All we used to do in Italy was play football, box or sing all day. Boxing is a stressful world and my remedy is music." A friend of the family said: "This is going to be a light-hearted way to celebrate the end of Joe's career.

"They're not going for that soppy stuff you normally hear at Christmas - the Calzaghes have got a great sense of humour so they'll make sure it's a laugh.

"Joe was the unbeaten champ for 11 years and I reckon he's going to carry on his form in the music world. The family hopes it will be a chart-topper."

The competition from Ricky won't bother Calzaghe, who is also bringing out a DVD about growing up in the South Wales valleys in time for Christmas - Joe Calzaghe: My Life Story.

The source said: "He's never been worried about getting beaten by other boxers and he's not going to start now.

"He's approached this song with as much passion as his boxing. It will be a huge hit."

Tale Of The Tape

RICKY, 30

Has Oasis brothers Liam and Noel in his corner.

Hopes to get Manchester City squad on side.

Blackpool comedian Joey Blower writing the lyrics.

JOE, 37

Welsh megastars Stereophonics in his corner.

Glam girlfriend Jo-Emma in the video.

Coach & songwriting dad Enzo coming up with the lyrics.

Source: www.mirror.co.uk

Congratulations to Joe Calzaghe who won on points in the early hours of this morning against Roy Jones Jr and remains undefeated after 46 professional fights.