ALL the talk this week has surrounded the possibility of me fighting new WBC light-heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver when I beat Glen Johnson for the IBF crown.

Tarver's defeat of Roy Jones junior did not surprise me. I'd told you in this column that Jones was over the hill and that I would beat him, but unfortunately I didn't get the chance.

The same goes for middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, another once great fighter past his best. He's another waiting to be beaten, but again not by me.

So why, people are asking, would Tarver want to fight me now he has a world crown.

It has been suggested he may move up to heavyweight where three of the various 'champions are controlled by the man who looks after his interests, Don King.

King also controls the world's top cruiserweights, which leaves possibilities there as well.

So yes, he does have other avenues, but when I beat Johnson I will be a double world champion and a fight against a double champion, and a Brit, on home soil could earn both of us big money.

And Tarver still needs money because just before the Jones fight he filed for bankruptcy in America with debts of almost $1m.

I genuinely feel a fight against Tarver is much more realistic than against Jones or Hopkins and it's the fight I want.

Back in February, Tarver said he was ready to fight me, if I went to America.

Well, if that's what it takes, I'm ready to go there because time is running our for me to prove to the doubting Yanks that I deserve to be ranked up there with the very best.

Promoter Frank Warren has already approached their camp and the vibes are good. He has invited them to be at ringside for my fight against Johnson in Manchester on June 12.

I hope Tarver turns up because then I can issue a challenge to him straight after the fight and that would provide great publicity.

As for Jones, my feeling is he is finished now and will retire.

Some people say he could yet return and beat Tarver in a decider, but I don't think that will happen.

Jones has been a great pound for pound fighter and I like to regard myself as one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world.

It has begged the question in some media quarters this week just who is or has been the best, pound for pound, over the years.

Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, Roberto Duran, Willie Pep - many have been mentioned.

But in my time I have no doubt my great idol Sugar Ray Leonard has been the best by a mile.

Leonard oozed class. He was quick, could punch, had fast hands, boxing skill and could take a punch, not that many hit him.

I can still remember his fight with Thomas 'The Hitman' Hearns, 15 rounds of non-stop action, a great contest. Ali was the greatest, but as a heavyweight, not as a pound for pound fighter.

Just finally, I was asked this week if I felt big boxing shows might be a target for terrorists, who have threatened to create havoc at major sporting events, such as the Olympic Games.

Earlier this year there were scares surrounding big soccer matches in Manchester and, of course, I fight there on June 12.

Personally, I don't think boxing is under threat and it doesn't cause me any sleepless nights, but it might be advisable to put in extra security at the MEN Arena on June 12 - to protect Johnson from the hiding I'm going to give him!