BOSWELL READY TO SHOCK THE WORLD

Fights No. 1 contender Vitali Klitschko on boxing's biggest stage

31.05 - It's the fight Cedric Boswell has been waiting for all his life, and it will happen on boxing's biggest stage.

An undefeated heavyweight contender who has been on boxing's fast track since signing with Goossen Tutor Promotions eight months ago, Boswell (21-0, 16 KOs) ) will face former WBO champ Vitali Klitschko (32-1, 31 KOs) on June 21 on the undercard of the heavyweight championship fight between Lennox Lewis and Kirk Johnson.

Set for the Staples Center in Los Angeles, both fights will be on HBO.

"I've been waiting for this all my life," Boswell said from his training camp in Vero Beach, FL, where he's training under the eyes of Ronnie Shields and Johnny Gant. "I've never had this type of opportunity before. This is my championship fight."

Born in Detroit and now living in Atlanta, Boswell has had five fights and scored four knockouts since signing with Goossen Tutor late last year. Among his recent wins are TKOs over Jim Strohl (25-1) and Talmadge Griffis (21-3-3). Prior to that, he spent almost three years on the shelf following contract problems with his former promoter, Don King.

But he said he's finally where he needs to be at this point in his career.

"This is the opportunity I've been praying for and I want to seize the moment," he said. "I'm the best I've ever felt both mentally and physically. I'm not even nervous.

"I feel I can adjust to any style I face in the ring. I'm still trying to get the ring rust off, but with this fight, everything will come together."

When the fight was offered to him earlier this year, Boswell and his camp didn't hesitate to jump at the opportunity.

"This is like stepping over 10 hurdles at one time," said Boswell's manager, Harry Barnett. "Cedric will be facing a former world champion and you can't get any better than that. Taking this fight was a no-brainer."

Vitali, ranked the No. 1 contender by both the WBA and WBC, is 6-foot-8, or four inches taller than Boswell. Still, Barnett said it's a very good match for his fighter.

"Vitali is a tall guy who uses his height. He has a good jab and he can hit," Barnett said. "It's just a question of getting to him. But I think Cedric has the style to beat him."

Promoter Dan Goossen said a win by Boswell will put him at the top of the heap of the new generation of heavyweights.

"A victory for Cedric would be a statement in itself," Goossen said. "I think he has the ability to beat Klitschko, who is one of the top three heavyweights in the world. Putting him in there with him is a reflection of what we think of Cedric as a fighter. He has to go out there and show people what he's capable of doing. With his looks, ability and charisma, we think he could become a future star. On top of that, he's from Michigan, and we've had some good luck with fighters from Michigan."

Goossen also promotes former Michigan native James Toney, who recently won the IBF cruiserweight title.

In getting ready for Klitschko, Boswell said he isn't straying away from the routine that got him this far.

"I'm training the same way I always train," he said. "I'm just training even harder."