Gary Lockett © fightnews.com

"I'm under no illusions," stated Lockett (30-1, 21 KOs). "The odds are greatly stacked against me but out of that I draw some comfort knowing that I'm going to give this guy the fight of his life.

"Pavlik was in the same position as me when he went in the first time against Jermain Taylor and he proved everybody wrong by stopping Taylor. Even Taylor was in the same position went he went in against Bernard Hopkins and he went on to beat him.

"It's not impossible. I'm confident in my ability and know I'm going to be coming home the new world champion. Pavlik holds a big punch and everyone knows I can certainly bang so lets see what happens when we start landing."

Trainer Enzo Calzaghe, who is embroiled in a war of words with Pavlik's trainer Jack Loew, added: "Gary has been murdering my hands for weeks now when I've been taking him on the pads. Make no mistake, when Gary lands it's going to be light's out for Pavlik and goodnight. Loew and his team have totally underestimated Gary and what he can do but they will know on the night when it is too late