Wednesday 27 January 2016 14:58, UK
Andrea Di Luisa is determined to spring a surprise on Saturday by beating George Groves, who he feels is on a downward path.
The Italian (18-3-KO14) will hear the opening bell at London's Copper Box Arena as a clear underdog but believes that Groves' world super-middleweight title defeats to Carl Froch (twice) and Badou Jack make him vulnerable on his comeback.
Di Luisa said: "I don't believe George is the same fighter as he was before those fights against Froch and Jack.
"I can only comment from my point of view. We will see how it goes, and I do have a good punch. He's a good fighter and a hard puncher but I'm ready for anything. I'm here to win.
I don't believe George is the same fighter as he was before those fights against Froch and Jack
"Training has gone as well as it should go. I'm ready for this big challenge. I've been training for almost four months but included in that was a fight in December.
"George is a good boxer, a good fighter. He's had a few chances to be a world champion but hasn't succeeded."
Di Luisa, who hails from Napoli and resides in Vetralla, just north of Rome, has highlighted the difficulties in maintaining a professional boxing career in Italy.
"It's not a sport that is well followed, unlike in England or America," said the 33-year-old. "In Italy, football is everything.
"If you're a footballer, great, other sports don't matter. I am looking forward to fighting in London, it's the capital of boxing in Europe. The people there are going to see that Di Luisa is strong.
"There's no problem for me fighting outside of Italy. Even with the public against me. For sure everyone in the arena will be cheering for Groves but I don't mind."
Groves, who lost an agonising split decision to Jack in September 2015, is fighting under new trainer Shane McGuigan for the first time on a bill that also features John Wayne Hibbert v Tommy Martin and John Ryder v Sergey Khomitsky.
