Chad Dawson has special plans to dethrone Bernard Hopkins, the oldest world champion in boxing history.
Dawson wants to reclaim his WBC light-heavyweight title when the two Americans meet in Los Angeles on October 15.
"There's no way Bernard Hopkins will beat me. No way," Dawson said. "I'm excited for the fight and ready to reclaim my title."
Former world champion Winky Wright, who lost to Hopkins in 2007, is working with Dawson at his training camp in the Pocono Mountains west of New York. He has stressed mental focus and combating the tactics and tricks Hopkins uses.
"Chad is ready, mentally as much as physically," Wright said. "I just try to install in him not let Bernard drag him into dirty tactics. Bernard is a crafty fighter. He tries to get in your head and outsmart you.
"You can't let somebody lure you into his game plan. Don't let Bernard slow the tempo down to his speed."
Hopkins, who has a record of 52-5, with two draws and 32 knockouts, will face an opponent who is 17 years younger and has a record of 30-1, including 17 knockouts.
Hopkins set the age record for world champions at 46 when he won the WBC title by unanimous decision over Canada's Jean Pascal, who took the crown from previously undefeated Dawson last year.
Dawson bounced back with a victory over Canadian-based Romanian Andre Diaconu on the undercard of the tournament in which Hopkins beat Pascal.
Now the 29-year-old southpaw plans to keep Hopkins from adding any more time to his record reign.
"I give him all the respect in the world. I grew up watching him. I was always a fan," Dawson said. "He's a great fighter. I take nothing away from him. But I look forward to beating him on October 15."
Hopkins has four wins and a draw since his most recent loss, by split decision to unbeaten Welshman Joe Calzaghe in 2008.
Hopkins has never been knocked out and has gone the distance in 11 fights in a row over the past seven years.
Dawson plans on forcing a faster pace upon the elder fighter.
"I'm not a knockout artist but I have the strength and I feel I can hurt Bernard. I think I can take him out of there," Dawson said.
"He's going to throw only 20 or 30 punches a round. We want to throw 80 or 90."
Having Wright on hand helps Dawson's confidence.
"I'm younger, stronger, faster. I have the better legs. I've got everything but the experience," Dawson said.
"Winky knows all the dirty tricks he will pull. He's keeping me aware. I've got to be the smarter fighter. Bernard can't touch me; won't touch me."
Dawson reunited with former trainer, John Scully, for the fight in the wake of his loss to Pascal, saying he had become a bored fighter.
"That's a fight I should never have lost. I got lazy," Dawson said. "People will see the hungry Chad Dawson. They will see the fire is back in my eyes."
On the undercard of the tournament, Venezuelan Jorge Linares (31-1 with 20 knockouts) takes on Mexican southpaw Antonio DeMarco, (25-2-1; 18) for the vacant WBC lightweight title.
