Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price are both focused on victory and have pledged to pay no attention to the hype ahead of their fight on Friday at London's Royal Albert Hall.
Liverpool’s Jonas, 16-2-1 (9 KOs) is the IBF and WBC welterweight champion, and Cardiff’s Price, 8-0 (2 KOs) and the WBA champion, meet at the iconic venue at the top of an all-women’s bill on Sky Sports.
“It’s just another fight,” said Jonas. “I’m not trying to put pressure on myself and build it into anything. When we get in the ring, none of the other noise matters and the best woman will win.”
There has been some tension in the build-up and some back and forth between the two fighters, and Jonas recognised its existence.
“There’s a little bit more behind this one,” the 41 year old added. “There’s a little more, I want to prove myself. I’m a bit too long in the tooth to be bothered by social media and boxing fans. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Some of them are valid and some of them aren’t.”
Boxxer's Ben Shalom said that the fighters were both good ambassadors for their sport, and believes it could result in a fight-of-the-year contender.
Price, 30 years old and who notably has not lost a round as a pro, echoed the sentiments about blocking out the "noise".
“It’s a great fight; I’m proud to be part of it; I’m in a great place, mentally and physically,” she said. “The outside noise is irrelevant and when the bell goes, may the best woman win.”
Asked what it might feel like to be in a fight where she loses rounds and possibly momentum, Price replied: “I think the biggest thing is staying cool, calm, collected and if that happens, stay cool, go back to the corner and take instructions but I believe I’m the better woman and I will win this fight. I respect Tasha, I’ve said that all along. I just believe in myself and I’ll show everyone on Friday night how good I am.”
On the undercard, WBC lightweight champion Caroline Dubois, 10-0-1 (5 KOs), who is seeking to be the undisputed champion within a year, meets South Korea’s Bo Mi Re Chin, 18-2-1 (10 KOs).
“Talk is cheap,’ Dubois said at Wednesday's press conference. “She’s here and every time I step in that ring; I don’t know if it’s confidence; I don’t know if it’s arrogance, I think they have an audacity to think they can win. It’s audacious to think she can get in the ring then beat me, because she ain’t better than me. I believe I will stop this girl. I don’t come in to outbox people... Every time I step in the ring it’s about putting on a performance. My job is to turn up and kick ass.”
Re Chin said little, but added: “I started boxing when I became an adult and I tried my best all the time, and here I am. Being here, I just think doing what I’ve been doing is the best way [to beat Dubois].”
In a step up for another former Olympian, Karriss Artingstall meets Raven Chapman.
Artingstall, who is 6-0 (1 KOs) as a featherweight, said: “I just believe when you sit up on this table, people are going to back themselves and say they’re going to win… I just believe I’m a better boxer and I’ll outbox her. I stick to what I do best. I believe the better the opponent you have in front of you, the better you perform. I know the talent I’ve got. I know what I’m capable of doing and I’ll show that on Friday.”
Chapman, who is 9-1 (2 KOs) and returning after a loss to Skye Nicolson in Saudi Arabia, is keen to get back on track.
“There was a lot to learn from that experience, massive fight card, lots going on, we learned a lot from it,” said Chapman. “That’s in the past. This is a different fight. I’ve been working really hard and I feel really good this week.”
Friday also features the pro debut of the refugee Olympian Cindy Ngamba, who meets 9-5-2 Kirstie Bavington.
Ngamba said that she is ready to impress, and has spoken of sparring the likes of Chantelle Cameron and Price. “If you speak to them, they will tell you what I’m capable of,” she said.
Fran Hennessy, who is 5-0 (1 KOs) at junior featherweight, has a new opponent with Bournemouth’s 8-12-1 Gemma Ruegg replacing Bolivian Carla Camila Campos Gonzalez.
“I live in the gym and I love to fight, as long as I focus on myself I don’t care who’s in front of me," she said. "It’s a great venue to tick off the bucket list… I’m going to put on a very special performance for everyone.”