Tomasz Adamek insists his clash with Kevin McBride in April is an important stepping stone en route to fulfilling his "destiny" against one of the Klitschko brothers later this year.

The 34-year-old is set to fight either Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko for a heavyweight title in his native Poland in September but before that he must get the better of McBride, who effectively ended Mike Tyson's career back in 2005.

Adamek currently lives in New Jersey and is hoping he can make "home" advantage count when he meets the experienced Irishman at the Prudential Center in Newark on April 9.

"This is my next step before Klitschko," said Adamek (43-1, 28 KOs), who has won all his previous five fights at heavyweight since moving up from cruiserweight back in October 2009. "My wife says I have ADHD, I cannot sit still at home with nothing doing, this is my life.

"I love fighting at Prudential Center. Everyone lives very close. It feels like my home.

"Somebody asked me why I am fighting before I have a guaranteed title fight, and I said I want to be active, this is my job. I can't stay home 8-9 months.

"So we made a fight - thank you Kevin for taking this fight.

"He's a big man, we respect him. I'm preparing with Roger Bloodworth, it's our second week in the Pocono's. We prepare very hard and I am very healthy. I want to be the champion. I am serious, this is my life, this is my way, this is my destiny."

Adamek's trainer Roger Bloodworth said: "We are taking this fight very serious, because Kevin can punch.

"Kevin's Irish and he comes to fight. Tomasz is the type of fighter that can't stay idle. He has to stay busy, so we asked for somebody big and they got us somebody big.

"We have all the respect in the world for Kevin and his corner, and we thank him for taking this fight."

However, McBride (35-8-1, 29 KOs), who stands at 6'6", is eager to make the most out of his opportunity.

He said: "I'm from Ireland, I'm Irish, and I'm proud to be a fighter. I'm coming here to fight. This is a big fight for me. An Irish painter, Sean Scully, said to me a couple years ago, 'Follow your dream", and that's what I'm going to do, follow my dream.

"This is a great opportunity, for me to show the world I'm a bigger man. You know, if I get into the later rounds with Tomasz Adamek, when I hit him on the chin he's going to think the whole of Poland hit him!

"Actually, when I fought Mike Tyson and hit him on the chin I thought, 'when I hit him he's going to think the whole of Ireland hit him', so I had to think of another statement.

"You know, Pope John Paul, I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to take the title from Tomasz Adamek, follow my dream, and become world heavyweight champion, first born Irish. It's going to be a great night and I'm looking forward to it!"