Iranian Hulk has sparked fears he will be homesick during his grudge fight with Martyn Ford after admitting he struggled during his trip to Dubai.
The Iranian star - real named Sajad Gharibi - will travel to the UK to challenge bitter rival Ford at The O2 arena on April 30. He has posted a worrying series of messages ahead of their showdown, even making a "wish for death" on social media.
Now he has claimed he has rejected multiple job offers from other parts of the world to remain in Iran, and he plans to die in his native country. "Firstly I must die if I endanger Iran's reputation," Gharibi said on Iranian TV. "Iran is my life and blood. I was sick in Dubai because I was so far away from Iran.
"Iran is my love and life, I was born in Iran and will die here. I can't think of living anywhere other than Iran. Some say ' you want to immigrate to England and become a refugee' but it doesn't make any sense. Since 2016 I have had many job offers from Dubai in body guarding, especially when I was heavy as they offered me $20,000 a month - but I didn't want to go."
Gharibi has been offered a way out of the clash by Ford after the date was initially delayed from April 2 until later in the month due to injuries plaguing the fight card. However he has defiantly claimed he will be ready to take the clash despite previously admitting he had never taken part in any boxing training.
Ford questioned if his opponent was serious about stepping in the ring later this year during their press conference, where Gharibi was angered and threw a tub of popcorn before being escorted away by security. The pair had already previously come to blows during a first face-off where Ford sent Gharibi 'flying' after tensions spilled over.
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With doubts over his readiness continuing to be raised by his opponent, Gharibi has hit out at claims that Ford could search for a late-replacement opponent and has accused his rival's team of smearing his reputation. "I saw in the news that Martyn Ford was looking for a successor, another fight since I was not ready," he continued.
"When I heard this I realised what was going on. Our opponents did what they wanted they ruined my reputation on social media. If someone is guilty then it is okay, but the heart burns, whatever."
Gharibi has shown some bizarre training footage in the build-up to the clash which has left fans concerned that he is going to get "destroyed" by Ford. However the 30-year-old has continued his relentless pursuit of his rival and even turned up to Ford's hotel demanding confrontation with a message on social media.
