Johnson wants to strip Lewis (above) of his WBC belt

The Canadian's camp say they are almost ready to seal a deal to bring Lewis and Johnson together in Buffalo.

Lewis' and Johnson's managment are said to have met last weekend to discuss a potential $1.5mn deal.

"It's as close as it could be without being signed," Johnson's co-manager Ken Lilien told Canadian paper Daily News.

Johnson added: "Twenty years of fighting have made me ready for Lewis.

"He has to show me something if he's going to beat me and as far as I'm concerned he ain't going to show me anything that's going to beat me.

HAVE YOUR SAY Lennox Lewis has been the best heavyweight for the past 12 years. I rate him in the same class as Ali. From Jesse Langhorne, Riverhead, NY Join the debate

"I'm going to the top of the mountain and that is Lennox Lewis. The bottom line is that my last two fights were great fights and I just feel like I am ready to conquer the world."

Lewis has until 15 April to decide whether he wil meet Mike Tyson in a much-anticipated re-match for his WBC crown.

Talks recently stalled because there were doubts about the American's readiness to get back in the ring with the Briton.

Lewis was expected to open discussions with Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko if the Tyson talks run aground for good.

But Johnson's camp believe a bout with their man could be a potential money-spinner in the Canadian market.

Despite choosing to represent Britain, Lewis won a gold medal for Canada in the 1988 Olympics.