Eddie Hall insists he isn't being trained by "yes men" for his fight with Thor Bjornsson after fans voiced their concern over a recent training video.
Hall is scheduled to fight Bjornsson in Dubai on March 19, with the pair's original booking last September cancelled after Hall tore his bicep during training.
In a fight dubbed the 'heaviest match in boxing history', the former strongmen have vowed to knock each other out as the rivalry looms large.
But some fans weren't impressed by Hall's technique in a recent training video and expressed their concern over his trainers.
"I am a big fan, but I hope you are not surrounding yourself with 'yes men' who are filling your head with over confidence. I hope they are being honest and straight with you," a user wrote.
Hall responded to this criticism and said his performance on March 19 will speak for itself.
"The people I’m fighting behind the scenes aren’t yes men," he wrote. "They can come on here and talk for themselves. Il say no more than I've surprised everyone that’s come in the ring with me so far 4 weeks and counting people!!!"
Hall is seen in the video punching well above his trainer's head, most likely to mimic fighting the 6'9" Bjornsson.
But his guard is wide open after throwing punches and some fans have labelled it the "worst technique" they have ever seen.
"Possibly the worst boxing technique I’ve ever seen. Hits look pretty hard tho." Whilst another user wrote: "Good luck Eddie but with this open guard I dont know".
Another added: "Big love but Thor is watching those hands drop and thinking 'I'm going to jab him to pieces until he's gassed and then finish the job'."
Bjornsson is the more experienced competitor heading into his bout with Hall having competed in the ring three times before.
Who wins - Eddie Hall or Thor Bjornsson? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
He fought in exhibitions against former professional boxers in Steven Ward and Simon Valily before stopping arm wrestling champion Devon Larratt last September when Hall withdrew.
Hall and Bjornsson's rivalry dates back to when they both competed in the 2017 World's Strongest Man competition, in which Hall won and Bjornsson came second.
Bjornsson - who has lost over 40kg for the fight - has been training for alongside boxing coach Billy Nelson in Scotland for the clash.
After knocking out Larratt in the first round, Bjornsson is predicting another early knockout against Hall.
"I think I'll knock him out in the third or fourth round," he told iFL TV. I'm not too worried about when or how, I've said it in silly action when we're talking but I'm not too worried about when."
