World champion Leigh Wood said he will make Josh Warrington “pay” for his tough methods in Saturday’s featherweight contest in Sheffield.
Nottingham fighter Wood, 35, defends his WBA belt against Leeds’ Warrington, 32, at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
The winner will move towards unification fights, with the loser potentially facing retirement.
“I know [Warrington] can bite down and give everything he needs to. But at what cost?” Wood asked.
“There’s going to be times in this fight when he needs to bite down just to win a moment and I’m going to make him pay for those moments.”
The pair came together at a respectful news conference at The Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield on Thursday.
Sheffield was selected as a neutral and fair venue, the arena expected to be split in half with an equal amount of tickets allocated to both sets of fans.
“It’s going to be an electric atmosphere and the best I’ve ever witnessed,” Wood said.
The champion is on a high after a sensational win over Mauricio Lara in May to reclaim his title, having lost to the Mexican three months earlier.
“I want to be remembered as one of the best featherweights and best fighters from my city,” he added.
‘I’ve already been written off’ – Warrington
With wins over Lee Selby, Carl Frampton and Kid Galahad, Warrington has been one of British boxing’s greatest servants in recent years.
At the back end of his career now, he once again has a point to prove and fans to win round.
Warrington lost the IBF belt in a defeat to Mexico’s Luis Alberto Lopez in December and has been out of the ring for 10 months.
“People have written me off already,” Warrington said. “[Saying that] I’m finished. It gives me the bit between my teeth.”
Warrington, who still battles critics who feel he lacks knockout power, predicted a stoppage win this weekend.
“My knockouts have come at championship level. My stoppages have come when it’s mattered the most,” added Warrington, who has stopped eight opponents in 31 wins.
“Listen, I know I’m not a big puncher, but I’ve got enough there to hurt people. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I’ve got enough to hurt Leigh on Saturday night and I’m very confident.
“I just have a real strong feeling this doesn’t see the final bell.”
Analysis – no theatrics with plenty on the line
The headline fight is a domestic clash for the boxing purist, but the past few weeks – and the whole of October – shows a packed boxing calendar. Consequently, the build-up to this fight has been relatively low key.
But there was a terrific media turnout at Cutlers’ Hall, a handsome grade II listed building, and hype is slowly building in fight week.
Wood and Warrington are likeable, down-to-earth boxers who share a somewhat similar journey, making their way up from small hall shows to world honours. Warrington debuted at Huddersfield Sports Centre in 2009, Wood at Clifton Leisure Centre two years later.
There was no confrontation or controversy. Both men know the significance of this fight and are a little long in the tooth to be taking part in theatrics.
Wood may be the champion, but you could argue Warrington has more on the line. Back-to-back defeats at world level would be hard to come back from.