Tyson replied: ‘‘You’d better start counting, Lewis, because your days as champion are numbered.

‘‘Lewis said he wanted me next. I’m really looking forward to it. It will be the biggest-ever fight,’’ he said.

Tyson defeated Denmark’s Brian Nielsen last month and is hoping to sneak in one more warm-up bout before taking on Lewis, probably against Ray Mercer in January.

But Tyson’s manager Shelley Finkel confirmed he will be holding talks with Lewis’ American promoter Gary Shaw over a future showdown.

‘‘I’m meeting with Gary some time this week to iron out small details,’’ said Finkel.

‘‘There is very little standing in the way of getting it done - we are very, very close to finalising everything.’’