Joe Calzaghe has rubbished claims that he has decided to retire, writes Phil Barnett.

Joe Calzaghe has rubbished claims that he has decided to retire, writes Phil Barnett.

Reports emerged over the weekend suggesting that the undefeated two-weight world champion had privately made the decision to make this month's victory over Roy Jones Jr his last fight.

The Welshman, though, had been expected to wait until after Christmas before announcing his decision and reports that he had already made up his mind were regarded as premature.

The 36-year-old has confirmed he has yet to retire. "I understand that stories have been placed in the media by a so-called acquaintance," Calzaghe told fans on his website, calzaghe.com. "This person claims I have given him an exclusive announcing my retirement. Whoever this guy is, he is wrong.

"The truth is I have not made my mind up. It is too soon since my fight with Roy Jones Jr to make a decision. When the time is right I will sit down with my family and then the first place my fans will hear about my decision will be here my website."

Calzaghe said last week that he would take his time before making a decision. After unifying the super-middleweight world titles and earning light-heavyweight victories over Bernard Hopkins and Jones Jr this year, there remain few meaningful fights available for him.

The London-born Welshman said last week: "In my last few fights I've achieved everything I want to achieve. Therefore, I'll sit down, have a rest, have a think about it, and make my decision after Christmas."

Chad Dawson, the unbeaten IBF light-heavyweight, called Calzaghe out last week and would represent an opportunity for the Briton to win an official title in the 175lb division.

n Nicky Cook has had to pull out of his WBO super-featherweight title defence against Stephen Foster Jr next month because of flu.

The Englishman had been set to make his first appearance since winning the belt from Scotland's Alex Arthur in September by taking on Foster, from Salford, at the Excel Arena in London on December 6.

But following "professional medical advice", according to promoters Sports Network, Cook has been ruled out.

"I'm absolutely devastated that I won't be able to defend my title for the first time and especially as it's in my backyard," the Essex fighter said. "I returned to training last week but it was clear that I had missed too many training sessions to catch up.