Tuesday 6 March 2018 18:23, UK
Lucas Browne says Dillian Whyte is "very silly" to have risked his world title hopes in their heavyweight grudge fight.
The Brixton man is the No 1 ranked contender for WBC champion Deontay Wilder, but will firstly settle his feud with Browne at The O2 on March 24, live on Sky Sports.
'Big Daddy' Browne has knocked out 22 opponents in a 25-fight unbeaten record and firmly believes that Whyte will regret his decision to face him following a long-running dispute on social media.
To take on someone like me, who is a big puncher, I think it's a very silly fight.
"I think it's a silly fight for him," Browne told Sky Sports. "Having the title and being No 1 ranked, to take on someone like me, who is a big puncher, I think it's a very silly fight.
"But for me it's perfect, he's got rankings across the board as well, not just with the WBC, so I'm extremely happy with this fight."
The Australian insists Whyte is simply following in the footsteps of British rival Dereck Chisora, who fell short when he stepped up to world title level.
Browne said: "To me, he's sort of like the 'new Chisora,' I feel.
"He's very good, don't get me wrong, Chisora also got to a world title shot, but didn't win it, and I think he's much the same. He's in that boat, much of a gatekeeper so to speak for the world title.
"If you do get past him, you're onto bigger and better things. If not, you've got to go back to the drawing board."
The 38-year-old tested his skills in a sparring session with Tyson Fury this week and holds the former world champion in high regard.
"A little bit 'star struck' sort of thing," said Browne. "Obviously I have seen him fight and everything else, but to actually be in the ring and copping punches off him is a totally different thing.
"Complete and utter respect for the man, in and out of the ring, but especially in the ring considering we just had a spar.
"He's just magic. Being six foot, nine [inches], and being as long as he is, being able to move the way he does, is just phenomenal.
"It was quite hard for me. I'm fighting Dillian Whyte, he's nowhere near that long, and I haven't been sparring anyone that long. To come up against that, it's a bit daunting for me."
Watch Dillian Whyte against Lucas Browne at The O2 on March 24, live on Sky Sports.
