Powell still has a lot to learn

Speaking during a teleconference to promote his 100m appearance in New York's Reebok Grand Prix on June 3, Gatlin, who also won the 200m at the world championships in Helsinki, Finland, last August, said Powell still has a lot to learn when it comes to the big meetings.

"Mentally and physically I am the best sprinter," Gatlin said. "I know when to show up. I know how to run technically sound."

"I would not call him a choke artist," Gatlin said of his archival rival Powell, "but I feel he has a lot to learn with big competitions.

"When big competitions show up, that proves who is the best."

Gunning for Powell's record

Last season Powell set a stunning 9.77 second world record mark in Athens at an IAAF Grand Prix meeting and Gatlin is confident he can remove that mark.

"I think a lot of people have a mental block about the world record," the 24-year-old American said.

"But watching Asafa ... if he can do it, I can do it as well, and I can do it even a little better. I was watching Ali the movie the other night, and it kind of reminded me of me and Asafa.

"It's like a heavyweight battle ... and you can't have a heavyweight battle without two contenders and I think me and Asafa can make the best rivalry there's ever been in track and field."

Last month Powell bagged his first international title when he cruised to a 10.03sec performance to snatch the Commonwealth Games title at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia.