Michael Conlan embraced the calm before the storm as he promised a clinical win over Leigh Wood tomorrow night.
The build-up to Saturday's WBA world featherweight title scrap had been punctuated by some heated verbals, but today's final press conference was a sedate affair as both camps said their final words before battle.
Conlan refrained from any incendiary comments at the Albert Hall Conference Centre but did promise to "rip the belt" off champion Wood.
“I’m ready to go. My confidence comes from preparation and my preparation has been fantastic," the Belfast boxer said.
"I’m very confident and very relaxed. We’re here in Nottingham and it’s time to go, there’s not much more to say other than I really can’t wait for Saturday night.
“I know what kind of performance is coming on Saturday night. This is the most relaxed and calm I’ve ever been in a fight week. I don’t feel any pressure, I’m here in the opponent's back garden and I’ve got to rip the belt off him.
"Everyone’s here to see him, I’ve got fans coming in the thousands already so it’s nothing new.
“I’m just here to do a job, I hope Leigh has had a fantastic training camp, I hope he’s the best Leigh Wood there’s ever been because I believe I will be. It’ll make it all the sweeter when I beat him.
“I’m just expecting a fantastic performance by myself.”
Wood admitted that defending his world title in front of a home crowd was "fairytale s***", with the 33-year-old following in the footsteps of fellow Nottingham hero Carl Froch.
“I remember watching Carl, sitting in the seats screaming. And I’m now headlining in the same arena," Wood said.
"This isn’t the peak or where I stop, I’m going to go further than this."
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