The 'world's scariest man' Martyn Ford was left worse for wear after a sparring session with Rico Verhoeven ahead of his boxing debut.
Ford will be facing the 'Iranian Hulk' Sajad Gharibi on April 2 at The O2 arena in London, and has been taking the bout very seriously, training with some top fighters in the build-up.
And he admitted that he was badly beaten in a sparring session with Glory Kickboxing legend Verhoeven when the pair met in the ring as part of his preparations for the Gharibi fight.
Ford was seen sporting a massive bruise on his right eye after the session, declaring the Verhoeven was "still" the world champion after the pair had engaged in a sparring session.
"I mean, I would like to say it was close," Ford captioned a video of him with the kickboxer after their workout. "But I'd be lying.
"What an incredible morning of education. Absolutely love LOVE LOVE this sport, the only way you learn, is to push your comfort zones.
"I think sharing the ring with the world champ, is definitely doing that... Rico Verhoeven my brother #champ #brother #levels."
He later posted a photo showing the bruise after it had developed over the day, adding: "Face courtesy of the legend that is Rico Verhoeven - and I still love him like a brother.
"For those who doubted I was taking this seriously, when I say I am 100 percent in, [I'm] sparring with literally the best in the world, it doesn't get any more serious than that.
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"I'm here to learn, to develop, to become the best version of me possible, and more than anything to excite the world when I step in the The O2 London on April 2 I will be ready."
Ford is the favourite to beat his rival on a massive celebrity boxing card promoted by Boxstar, which will also feature amongst others Patrice Evra making his debut.
The football legend will be joined by fellow ex player Jamie O'Hara and Love Island winner Jack Fincham as part of a star-studded lineup of white collar bouts.
A number of other Love Islanders will also feature, as well as other British celebs.
It's one of a number of celebrity bouts coming in the next few months, with YouTube boxing returning to the UK as well as a fight in an as-yet undetermined location between Eddie Hall and Thor Bjornsson.
Deji Olatunji will square off with Alex Wassabi at the OVO Arena Wembley on the debut of Showstar Boxing on March 5, with a host of social media stars on the undercard.
And a few weeks later, Hall and Bjornsson are expected to finally settle their years-long strongman rivalry in what's being called the heaviest boxing match in history.
