Friday 15 April 2016 23:45, UK
Josh Warrington believes world champion Lee Selby is not as good as he thinks he is.
The rivalry between the British featherweights rival has intensified this week, ahead of Warrington's must-win fight against Hisashi Amagasa, live on Sky Sports on Saturday night.
He talks about me and levels so he needs to pat himself down, keep his feet on the ground, and take every fight as it comes, rather than talking about being the pound-for-pound best all the time.
Warrington has been calling out IBF world champion Selby for the last few months and the Welshman responded this week, telling the Leeds Warrior he is not on the same 'level'.
Warrington is refusing to look past Amagasa but is confident he will not only get a world title shot if he wins on Saturday, but also the chance to expose the limitations of Selby, who overcame a knockdown in last weekend's points win over Eric Hunter at The O2.
"He did well to get up off the floor but I think he's not as good as he likes to think he is," Warrington told Sky Sports about Selby.
"He is a world champion and you can't discredit that. He's done well to get there, but he thinks he's an elite fighter and he's not at that level yet.
"He talks about me and levels so he needs to pat himself down, keep his feet on the ground, and take every fight as it comes, rather than talking about being the pound-for-pound best all the time."
Warrington was a full pound inside the featherweight limit 8st 13lbs, while Amagasa is not only four inches taller than the home favourite, but also came in heavier at 8st 13lbs 8oz.
The Japanese fighter is best-known for putting Guillermo Rigondeaux down in a super-bantamweight world title fight and Warrington knows victory is anything but a formality.
But the 25-year-old is determined to produce another stylish win to show he can step up in class against Selby.
"I want to get a big fight on the next level, shall we say," he said.
"I've trained really hard for it and can't wait. I just want to show everyone what I am capable of.
"Last year for me was a learning year, and this year I have to step up and really show a bit of class - and show that I can go on and win a world title and I'm capable of being at that level."
Selby and Amagasa are top of a busy bill at the First Direct Arena, Leeds, with Stuey Hall (8st 4ls 3oz) looking to beat Rodrigo Guerrero (8st 5lbs 5oz) to earn a rematch with IBF bantamweight holder Lee Haskins, and undefeated Martin J Ward (9st 3lbs 6oz) defends his WBC International super featherweight title against Ruddy Encarnacion (9st 2lbs 7lbs).
