Junior Witter is in the best shape of his life for his world-title dream.
Witter heads into Friday's WBC showdown with DeMarcus Corley in London insisting: "I've never felt as good as this.
"I'm so sharp, lean and mean and I'm going in with mean intent."
The Bradford light-welter's punishing gym preparations with trainer Dominic Ingle are set to pay dividends against the American Corley.
"People always say that sportsmen peak in their 20s but this is the best physical condition I've ever been in," said Witter, who is now 32.
"Everything has come together and this is the best shape I have ever been in going into a fight.
"Dominic has pushed me hard in training - really hard. I've never been in the gym for so long and it's been a pain, but an enjoyable pain because I know I will do this."
Witter will meet his opponent for the first time this afternoon when he comes face-to-face with the American at a press conference - and he refuses to be riled by jibes from Corley's trainer Roger Mayweather that he has not earned his title shot.
"I'm the No 1 contender and I've been No 1 for over a year now," he said.
"I should have been boxing Floyd Mayweather but he decided to move on. The comments don't bother me but I don't understand them.
"I'm used to people slagging me off. I've had to fight for everything I've got in boxing because I haven't had the breaks like others.
"Some people are born with a million pounds in the bank and some with nothing. I've never been given a silver spoon in my mouth; I've had to work for a spoon.
"I know people have been deliberately avoiding me. Sometimes I look back at my record and see the opponents I've faced and wonder if I should have boxed half of them - and the answer's no.
"There's always that temptation to jack it in but I've never seriously thought about it. I always saw myself as a world champion. I couldn't be a quitter.
"It's been frustrating but all I've wanted is a fair crack of the whip. It's been a long time coming, too long, and I want to get in that ring right now."
Tickets for the World Honours show at Alexandra Palace are still available from the box office on 0870-060-1795.
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