Danny's dad dreaming of the title

But a seed had been planted and his father's dream grew to become Danny's dream, too. The trouble was, the pressure to realise his destiny became too much and this huge, proud man succumbed to tears at the mere thought of entering the ring.

The dream looked to have died in January when Danny, clearly not at one with himself, lost his British championship to an honest but average-opponent in Michael Sprott. Yet it was on the strength of the Sprott fight that Tyson, looking to regain some semblance of credibility following a comprehensive defeat against Lennox Lewis, took on Williams in July confident that he would look good against a no-hoper.

Danny, who had converted to Islam, fought with a tenacity that overwhelmed a bewildered Tyson. Augustus was ringside in Louisville and said: "I knew when Danny got through the first round that Tyson would be tired. He puts too much in to his punches and that tires him out. So Danny just had to soak it up and then take over. I was jumping up and down at the end."

Danny's reward was a call from Klitschko.

Look at it from the champion's point of view and the choice of opponent makes sense. Williams is a draw on account of his dramatic win over Tyson, but he has never been in with a boxer of Klitschko's class so the WBC belt should stay firmly buckled about the Ukrainian's waist.

I tried to convince Augustus that he really should take Klitschko seriously. After all, if it wasn't for cuts that caused a stoppage defeat he might well have beaten Lewis when the two men fought in June last year.

Back came the retort: "But Lewis was no good! When my boy knocks out Klitschko I think Lewis will come out of retirement to fight Danny. And Danny would beat Lewis. Anybody put in front of my boy will end up on the ropes. Danny has come of age."

It would be easy to dismiss these claims as emanating from a father whose dream has clouded his perception-of the dangers his son tomorrow. But Augustus knows his boxing. "You remember the great Billy Walker? He was my favourite fighter. He kept coming on all the time. That's what my boy must do to Klitschko."

Indeed, he must. Danny's strategy must be to get through Klitschko's jab and maintain constant pressure to the body, draining the champion of stamina until he can resist no more.

Danny says he is not bothered by weighing in at a massive 19st 4lbs, a fugure that equals the highest-ever for a boxer in a world title fight, set by Primo Carnera for his bout with Tommy Loughran in March 1934.

He said: "I feel far sharper at this weight. I feel absolutely tremendous. I'm five pounds heavier than I was when I beat Mike Tyson in July, and that means I'm five pounds stronger and five pounds more powerful.

"Klitschko looks in good shape. If he is strong he may go late, if he is weak he may go early, but I definitely believe I'm going to win by knockout. I can't see it going to points."

Augustus has two bottles of champagne in his hotel room ready to toast a success. "I brought them in England a long time ago and brought them here. They are already on ice.

"I will feel proud tomorrow night. And Danny will have made my dream come true."