Boxing: Tyson prepared to fight Lewis at last

Mike Tyson insists he is ready to take up the challenge thrown down by Lennox Lewis.

Britain's three-time world heavyweight champion immediately set his sights on a showdown with Tyson, which could be worth $100m (£68.5m), after regaining his International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council titles from Hasim Rahman in Las Vegas at the weekend.

Tyson said: "You had better start counting, Lewis, because your days as champion are numbered. Lewis said he wanted me next. I am really looking forward to it. It will be the biggest-ever fight."

Tyson defeated Denmark's Brian Nielsen last month and is hoping for one more warm-up bout, probably against Ray Mercer in January, before taking on Lewis. Tyson's manager, Shelley Finkel, confirmed he will be holding talks with Lewis's American promoter, Gary Shaw, over a future fight.

"I'm meeting with Gary some time this week to iron out small details," Finkel said. "There is very little standing in the way of getting it done – we are very, very close to finalising everything."