Thursday 11 January 2018 20:35, UK
Dillian Whyte will settle his feud with Lucas Browne in a heavyweight grudge fight at The O2 on March 24, live on Sky Sports.
The Brixton man defends the WBC 'silver' title against Browne as he continues his pursuit of the world champions in the top division.
Whyte is within touching distance of a shot at WBC king Deontay Wilder, but is risking his No 1 ranking with the governing body to end a bitter long-running dispute with the Australian on social media.
"I can't wait, I hate Lucas Browne and I want to hurt him," said Whyte. "He's said some nasty things and he's going to have to pay for them.
"I don't think he really wanted this fight. A deal was in place before then. He started to try and change the terms. He kept delaying things after we gave in to his demands and started saying there was a fight in America he was chasing.
If I don't knock him out, I will not be happy. The plan is to beat Browne and move closer to a world title shot.
"We've bent over backwards and up until now, he's been more interested in making excuses than taking the fight. It's been frustrating, but we've finally got over the hill now, so let's go.
"He's a big guy with an unbeaten record, so you have to rate him a bit. He carries some power. You have to respect heavyweight power, it only takes one punch.
"I'm not overlooking Browne, I'm focused on going to town on him. If I don't knock him out, I will not be happy. The plan is to beat Browne and move closer to a world title shot.
"Beating him should make me a mandatory challenger for a world title. I'm highly ranked across the board. I'll be a more than credible world title challenger. I've been building my way up, so we're set for a big year."
But Browne still holds world title ambitions of his own and 'Big Daddy' vowed to produce another knockout win in his sixth fight on British soil.
"I'm genuinely looking forward to coming over to the UK again and bashing Dillian," said Browne. "If Helenius and Dereck Chisora hurt him, wait until he feels how I hit. I don't like anything about him. He's a loud mouth and I want to take his head off.
I know if I stop Whyte impressively, I'll be getting another world title shot.
"I have absolutely no fears about coming to London and facing Dillian. After you go to Chechnya to fight, nothing else compares.
"I've fought in England five times already and love fighting there. I know if I stop Whyte impressively I'll be getting another world title shot."
