By Marta Kossecka-Rawicz

On the August 21 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, heavyweight title-challenger Michael Grant (46-3, 34 KO) will be the opponent for Polish boxer Tomasz Adamek. Grant talks about the fight and his desire to pull of a big win in order to place himself back in position for another title shot.

- Why are you fighting with Adamek?

MG: This fight is a great opportunity for me to break into the heavyweight game. Once I beat Adamek I will be back on the map. He says he's a real heavyweight boxer.  I have a lot of respect for him and I am very happy that I have a chance to fight against him.

- What do you feel when Adamek says that this fight with you will be used [because of the height and reach] to prepare for him for a possible fight with one of the Klitschko brothers?

MG: He can say whatever suits him.  I know that he won't be an easy opponent. I am preparing for this fight to win it. This will not be a walk in the park for Adamek.  I will be the new heavyweight champion.

- Will you beat Adamek just as you beat Polish boxer Andrew Golota in 1999 in Atlantic City?

MG: I dont know if in the same way, but I will beat him. Right now I am at home in Atlanta. But soon I am flying to Las Vegas where I will have my training camp to prepare me for the fight with Adamek with my trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. There, we will work on a plan to defeat Adamek. Eddie prepared Chad Dawson to fight Adamek, which Chad then won. He will help me as well. I'm in great shape, I am full of energy and I can't wait for this match. My faith also gives me great strength.

- Why did you become a boxer?

MG: I don't even know (laughter). I had a talent for many sports. I played football and many colleges offered me athletic scholarships.  I chose boxing because I had the greatest talent for it. God made it that on my path I met the famous boxing referee, Richard Steele.  He saw boxing potential in me and talked me into a boxing career. I never regret making that decision.

Marta Kossecka-Rawicz covers the Polish boxing scene for bokser.org.