Lewis's days as champion are numbered: Tyson

Mike Tyson is relishing the prospect of a world heavyweight title showdown with Lennox Lewis next year and believes he will dethrone the champion.

"You had better start counting, Lewis, because your days as champion are numbered. Lewis said he wanted me next," Tyson was quoted as saying in The Sun newspaper on Tuesday.

"I am really looking forward to it. It will be the biggest-ever fight," said the American.

Briton Lewis made history last Saturday when he knocked out Hasim Rahman in the fourth round in Las Vegas to join Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield as the only fighters to be crowned world heavyweight champion for a third time.

Lewis's victory won him back the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation titles and set up what many predict will be the richest bout in history -- a long-awaited encounter with Tyson next year.