Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton defend their world titles in Newcastle tomorrow night against two late opponents who insist they are ready to upset the champions' best-laid plans.

Calzaghe still has his eyes on a money-spinning showdown with undisputed middleweight king Bernard Hopkins some time in the New Year while Hatton's domestic showdown with Junior Witter is drawing closer.

But first Calzaghe must successfully defend his WBO super-middleweight crown for the 12th time against North Dakota's Tocker Pudwill. Hatton puts his WBU light-welterweight title on the line against Joe Hutchinson of Indianapolis.

Both men carry considerably smaller reputations than original choices Thomas Tate and Antonio Mesquita, who pulled out through injury and contractual problems respectively.

But they have both been in with some of the best in their divisions and insist that despite preparation time of only a couple of weeks they have come to win.

Pudwill, who lost a points decision to IBF champion Sven Ottke in Germany last year, said: ''I'd had three fights in four months before I got this call so I'm ready.

''When I fought Ottke I only had two weeks' notice. I have seen Joe fight a number of times and I believe he is the best super-middleweight in the world. Ottke might have been better defensively but Joe is a much better offensive fighter.''

Calzaghe was hampered by injury during his points win over Miguel Jimenez four months ago which he admitted was unsatisfactory.

And his continued inability to secure fights against the best of the rest of his division remains a source of frustration for him.

''It is frustrating not to be fighting Tate and getting the chance to become only the second person to stop him.

''But this situation has happened in the past. I'm 100 per cent fit and I've trained as hard as ever.

''I have to stay motivated because I'm looking forward and at the end of the day my dream is to fight Hopkins and have other era-defining fights.''

Hatton also had an unsatisfactory night last time out when his good performance against Stephen Smith was overshadowed by the premature ending when Smith's father invaded the ring.

His opponent Hutchinson carries a 25-3-2 record and is not regarded as being among the elite in his division.

But he did take Hector Camacho Jnr and Arturo Gatti to points in 2000, so a win for Hatton would prove a point