By Tony Kelshaw, PA Sport
Britain's undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has promised to turn Michael Grant's dreams of title glory into a nightmare when the pair clash in New York later this month.
The 27-year-old challenger, unbeaten in 31 fights, is confident that he can cause a big upset against Lewis, who will be fighting for the first time since beating Evander Holyfield to unify the belts.
The American said: "I've predicted that Lennox Lewis is going to get knocked out, I don't know which round he'll get knocked out in, but I've had a dream."
But Lewis brushed aside those boasts by replying: "He'd better wake up and apologise because people from that camp are always having dreams and those dreams never come true.
"He's been through his B class opponents, now it's time to step up to an A class opponent, an A-plus opponent.
"This A-plus opponent is going to take him into the deep end and see if he can swim," he told Sky Sports' Ringside programme.
Lewis has finally seen his popularity rise on the other side of the Atlantic but insists that the new found fame in the States will not lead to him taking Grant lightly.
Lewis said of the 6ft 7ins Grant: "I�m a true competitor. Every time I�ve been in a competitive situation I�ve risen to the challenge." The Briton has been preparing for the fight in the States and he�s glad the American media is finally interested in him after years of being ignored.
�I�m glad that they find me interesting now and want to interview me. They want to get hold of me and find out about the enigma that Lennox Lewis is and see what I'm all about," added Lewis.
"But right now I'm just concentrating on this fight. Michael Grant is very dangerous. He is the best of the lot. He's a young blood, very determined and on the way up.
"But I'm a true competitor. Any time I'm put in a situation where it's a challenge I've always taken that challenge up."
Lewis also insisted that the boxing politics which almost saw him stripped of his IBF and WBA titles without even stepping into the ring have not distracted his preparations.
He said: "It's a constant battle and something I'm used to. All these years of boxing have prepared me for these kind of situations. What can I do, I can just take it as it comes.
"This is something that I've always wanted and it's finally come true. I've achieved my ultimate goal."
Grant, however, remains in an equally positive mood ahead of the Madison Square Garden clash on April 29.
He declared: "It's going to be a very exciting fight. Two big guys in there, 6ft 5ins, 6ft 7ins, both weighing over 500lbs, come on baby it's going to be good, it's going to be hot.
"But I see it turning my way, definitely. Size, weight, reach, I'm younger - you can use all of those assets."
